FORMER MANCHESTER United striker Carlos Tevez is confident he will not be viewed as a traitor by the Old Trafford faithful if he completes a transfer to the club’s cross-city rivals.
The Argentina international turned down a permanent deal at United last month following a two-year loan deal and has since been linked with a lucrative move to wealthy Manchester City.
Chelsea are also reportedly tracking the 25-year-old’s availability, but Eastlands is believed to be Tevez’s likely destination this summer.
Tevez said: “If I play for Manchester City I don’t think the United fans will feel I am a traitor.
“They have to remember that at least as far as I know I have been thrown out of the club and I have to study the best offers available.”
Tevez’s decision to turn down the offer of a five-year deal at United has been defended by his adviser Kia Joorabchian, and the player himself insists manager Alex Ferguson left him with little choice but to move on.
“It has come about because I could not stand my sporting situation at Manchester United any longer,” he continued.
“My first year was good in all senses. I played in the games and felt respected by the coach but in my second year some strange things happened that I still do not understand.
“After the game at Old Trafford where Liverpool beat us, Ferguson ignored me almost as if I was to blame for the defeat when really Liverpool dominated us all over the pitch. After that the fans called for me to be in the team but he never took the advice on board because he always knows best. I gave everything for Manchester United and people know that. For that reason I don’t deserve the way things have ended up.”
Newcastle United are set to step up efforts to reduce their wage bill this week as they attempt to make the relegated club more attractive to purchasers. The details of 10 players, most notably Obafemi Martins and Fabricio Coloccini, have been circulated to agents worldwide.
Despite interest from Malaysia, the US and the UK, the club remains unsold, with the three parties concerned about the overdraft arrangements and an annual wage bill which stands at around €76 million. Seymour Pierce, the investment bank brokering the sale, had hoped Mike Ashley would have found a buyer by this week but sources suggest it could be another month.
In a bid to accelerate the process Ashley has tried to move some high earning players on, but many of Newcastle’s squad are on unusually generous pay.
Martins is coveted by Wolfsburg, Sevilla and Lyon. While the Nigeria striker, currently recovering from groin surgery, does not want to move to Germany, Sevilla and Lyon could probably only offer him €47,000 a week – barely half his wages.
Coloccini, an Argentina defender, cost Newcastle €12 million but after a disappointing season few, if any, clubs are likely to match his €82,000 a week. Galatasaray, though, have already made a €5 million bid.
Fulham are one of two English clubs pondering signing Mark Viduka, the Australia centre-forward, who has left Newcastle United after the expiry of his contract.
The Paraguay defender Paulo da Silva is expected to become Steve Bruce’s first signing as Sunderland manager this week.
Da Silva, who is available on a free transfer after running down his contract at Toluca, of Mexico, has flown to England for talks on Wearside.
