0
LONDON: Carlos Tevez's agent says a move for the striker to join Brazilian club Corinthians from English Premier League side Manchester City “will not be simple”.
Last week Argentina forward Tevez, currently playing for his country in the Copa America, confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in football when he said he had to leave England in order to be closer to his children, despite leading City to FA Cup glory and Champions League qualification last season.
Tevez, 27, arrived in English football at West Ham from Corinthians in August 2006 and the Brazilian side are reported to have tabled a 40 million pounds ($63.57 million) offer for their former player on Monday.
Selling Tevez to Corinthians would enable City to offload him to a club with whom they are not in direct competition, either domestically or in Europe, whilst allowing the player to be nearer his daughters, who live with his estranged partner in Buenos Aires.
However Kia Joorabchian, Tevez's agent, told Sky Sports on Tuesday: “It is a big deal and a tough deal, because it is one of a very big nature and it might not be simple.
“We wait to see. First and foremost we have to respect that City have to make a formal answer.
“If they do accept, then everyone will be running to make it happen. If they don't we will have to see what other options would be available for him.”
Tevez, in an interview last week, spoke of his fondness for City and insisted his desire to move had been fuelled solely by his personal circumstances.
“He did mention that he has a lot of respect for City, the fans and the owners,” said Joorabchian.
“But unfortunately his wife and daughters have not been able to adapt.
“They have lived in Manchester for just over four years and last year they found it very hard.
“In fact, they returned back to Argentina and the commute and the situation was very difficult for Carlos from a family and personal perspective.
“I think he decided that he would like to move somewhere where his wife and two daughters would move with him, and where they would find it easier to adapt, whether that was in Europe or somewhere else.
“Now with Corinthians coming in with this offer, it is a very attractive proposition for the family.”
As for hints from Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, the Spanish giants may make a bid to sign Tevez, Joorabchian responded by saying: “It is very difficult to start speculating – the reality is that Corinthians have made an offer.
“We have never spoken to Real Madrid and they have made no offer.
Corinthians have and at the moment we have to see what City will feel and what their reaction will be to that offer.
“We will take every step as it comes.”
Tevez, in an interview with Britain's Daily Mail last week, said: “I have great respect for the club (City).
“I hope that the people understand the difficult circumstances I have been living under the past 12 months, in regards to my family.
“Living without my children in Manchester has been incredibly challenging for me. Everything I do, I do for my daughters, Katie and Florencia. I need to be closer to them and to spend more time with them.”
