In a new twist to the Carlos Tevez money hungry saga, his agent has now claimed that the Argentine national would be flattered and excited if the Corinthians were to come calling. Rumours abound that the club, based out of Sao Paolo, with whom Tevez played one season are prepared to make a bid of around £35 million for the want-away Manchester City skipper.
The striker’s shrewd agent, Kia Joorabchian, seems to be making the most of this opportunity to diminish his money hungry image by claiming that Tevez would move there simply because the club was dear to him.“Carlos is very flattered by the bid. Very excited because the club is close to his heart,” he said. “He’s very mindful and respectful of the situation at City and until a move has been agreed he remains a City player. South American football, especially Brazilian football, has changed dramatically over the past few years. TV rights are about the same as the Premier League. The likes of Ronaldinho, Neymar and all these big names are in Brazil. Really, the economy has changed to rival Europe.”
Corinthians would certainly be pleased to acquire the services of this Argentinean, who is currently playing in the Copa America, whom they bought for £13.7m from Boca Juniors, and saw him score 25 goals in 38 games in lone season with the club. However, a summer transfer bid for the City striker was considered impractical by members of the board, who believe a loan deal is a more viable option. Corinthians’ vice-director of football Duilio Alves was quoted as saying “It would have to be a loan. We cannot buy him. That [the transfer fee expected] is an absurd figure, unviable for the Brazilian football market.”
If an offer were to materialise, Joorabchian believes Tevez would have no problem going back to South America. “Brazil has probably one of the best international teams in the world and so does Argentina,” Joorabchian added. “With the likes of Ronaldinho, Neymar and Ganso playing in Brazil the standard has improved. He didn’t leave Corinthians under a cloud. He was captain and top goal scorer. He remains their biggest player. He is the first foreigner to win best player in Brazil. The fans adore him and he would have no problem in going back.”
The striker’s career has been on the rise since he left the club, along with the pay packet he takes home. After his initial move and a season at Upton Park, where his strike helped West Ham avoid relegation by beating champions Manchester United on the last day, he was snapped up by the Old Trafford outfit on a 2 year loan deal at the end of which he controversially moved to City, where he has now made 81 appearances scoring 52 times. Last week the striker claimed that he wanted to leave the Premier League to be closer to his two daughters. “Tevez has a lot of respect for City,” Joorabchian explained. “Last year his family found it very hard and the commute back to Argentina was very difficult for Carlos. He wants to move somewhere where his wife and kids can move with him and maybe adapt.”
While the prospect does seem exciting for South American football, if Joorabchian’s and Tevez’s deep deep pockets are anything to go by, this rumour will remain to be just that, a rumour.
Tags: Carlos Tevez, Corinthians, English Premier League, EPL, Football, Kia Joorabchian, Manchester City
