Midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has turned down a 7-million-pound
($11.2 million) offer to move from Argentine club Estudiantes to
the English Premier League's Manchester City.
Veron's representative said the Argentina playmaker turned
down the overture from City manager Roberto Mancini. The two played
together at Italian clubs Lazio and Sampdoria and Mancini later
coached Veron at Inter Milan.
Veron's representative Miguel Pires said in a radio interview
on Tuesday that Man City had offered to pay Estudiantes 7 million
pounds ($11.2 million) and pay Veron the same amount.
"The fax arrived offering 7 million pounds for Sebastian and
the same amount for the club," Pires said on radio La Red. "But
Sebastian didn't move a muscle, and neither did the vice president
of the club."
The news agency DYN quoted Veron saying "it was not a matter
of money," and said he felt more comfortable staying with the
Argentine club.
Veron led Estudiantes to the Copa Libertadores title last
year - the top club title in South America - and has been one of
the most consistent players on Argentina's up-and-down national
team coached by Diego Maradona.
He was Estudiantes' best player in the Club World Cup final
last month in Abu Dhabi, where Barcelona won 2-1 in extra time on a
goal by countryman Lionel Messi.
Veron, 34, moved to Manchester United in 2001 and later
played with Chelsea, but had only so-so success with both English
clubs.
Man City has splashed out big money in the last several
seasons on the transfer market, acquiring top players like Robinho,
Carlos Tevez, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor.
