Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini plans to keep Carlos Tevez after seeing a proposed swap deal involving Samuel Eto'o come to nothing.
The future of Manchester City's talismanic skipper has been a subject of contention for some time, with a transfer request having been handed in by the Argentine last season.
It was eventually retracted, but speculation suggesting Tevez will soon be on his way out of Eastlands has continued to rage.
A switch to Italy has been widely touted, with Inter Milan admitting to holding an interest in the fiery South American.
City have done all they can to persuade Tevez to stay, but could be tempted into a deal if the conditions are right.
An exchange for Inter frontman Eto'o would have been acceptable to the Blues, as they would not have been left short in the goalscoring department.
Inter, though, are reluctant to part with the Cameroonian hit-man, even if Tevez could be drafted in as a replacement.
With the situation at gridlock, Mancini admits he is now expecting Tevez to stick around at City for the forthcoming campaign.
"Tevez will stay," said the Italian tactician.
"He is a fantastic player.
"There was talk of an exchange with Eto'o, but Inter did not want to sell."
