Tevez closing in on Corinthians move

Tevez closing in on Corinthians move

Published Jul. 12, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

Carlos Tevez's representative Kia Joorabchian says he thinks the Manchester City striker's return to Corinthians is "close" to being completed.

Tevez was previously with Corinthians for two years after joining from Boca Juniors in 2004.

He left Brazil for West Ham, before his big-money switches to Manchester United and Manchester City.

But the 27-year-old Argentine is now desperate to leave Eastlands, citing his family as the reason for his desire to leave England.

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It was presumed a move to another country in Europe, most likely Spain, would be on the cards but now an unlikely return to South America appears to be a realistic option according to Joorabchian.

A bid of around £36million is understood to have been lodged by the Brazilian giants, who are reportedly able to fund the deal because of sponsorship deals and a new TV deal which has boosted the finances of Brazil's top clubs.

"Negotiations have already begun. Corinthians are in contact with us," said Joorabchian.

"His [Tevez] dream and mine is to see him back with Corinthians. He said he has a job that does not end there, he wants to return because he has the dream of winning the Copa Libertadores.

"Corinthians have made the offer, now it depends only on Manchester City. The City has to make a decision.

"Everybody is working to make this happen, I, Corinthians, Tevez, Adrian Ruocco (the other agent who work on Tevez).

"It is impossible to determine the situation, but I think it's close."

Joorabchian insists that Tevez would only consider playing for two clubs in South America.

"Carlos will not play for any other Brazilian club than Corinthians, that is an absolute certainty," he told ESPN Brasil.

"Boca Juniors and Corinthians are in his heart. He would only play for the these two clubs if he when back to Brazil and Argentina."

The Brazilian transfer window closes on July 20, which means any deal need to be done soon - but Joorabchian insists that Tevez does have other options in Europe.

"The priority is Corinthians, but we have other options," he said.

"Carlos was the best player in the Premier League [last season], he was the scorer of the team for two consecutive years, he won the FA Cup.

"So he has much appeal in the European market. He is no longer a boy, today he is a great player."

Joorabchian insists that playing in Brazil would not be a step down for Tevez, adding: "Football in Brazil has changed, grown. His dream was always to return to the Corinthians, and this time there is a possibility."

Corinthians have also confirmed they are hopeful a deal will be done, their director of football Duilio Monteiro Alves said: "I don't want to get our fans' hopes up. We'll try... that's all I can say.

"[Signing Tevez] isn't impossible. It's a dream we're trying to realise."
 

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