Roberto Mancini insists City's Veron bid was just Joke

[Petr Čech]

Roberto Mancini insists Manchester City's Veron bid was just a joke

Roberto Mancini has laughed off claims that Manchester City made a bid for Estudiantes’ midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.

Reports had previously suggested that the Citizens had made a £7 million offer for the former Chelsea and Manchester United playmaker.

However, according to the Italian manager, while admitting he had spoken to the player about joining the club, the conversation had purely been in jest.

“[Juan Sebastian] Veron is my friend. I played with him at Sampdoria, and at Lazio and when I was the manager at Inter he played for me,” the City boss told the club’s official website, <a class="postlink" href="http://www.mcfc.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">www.mcfc.co.uk</a>.

"I called him just to say hello and as we talked I joked with Seba, 'If you want, you can come to play for [Manchester] City', but I was only joking and he knew that.

“He plays for Estudiantes and is very happy there. It was never a possibility for us."

Of course one player who Mancini is taking seriously is Patrick Vieira who signed a six-month deal with the club on Friday after leaving Inter.

Thank jesus!

 

[Anonymous]

He should also ask Rooney "for a joke."

Watch those fuckers go into meltdown.

 

[MouldensChippy]

In future, perhaps he should only have 'joke' conversations with mates who don't go running to the press to embarass him?

 

[manchester blue]

In future, perhaps he should only have 'joke' conversations with mates who don't go running to the press to embarass him?

The thing is Veron's comments may well have been off the cuff but once numerous agencies get hold of them it becomes gospel. All adds to a dull break with no football I suppose!

 

[Footyblue]

I doubt Mancini much cares that the press took up the story. You think the English papers are bad, in Italy it is even worse.

 

[Marty]

I'd suspect, given their friends that Mancini is telling the truth. My reading of the situation is exactly as Mancini's said, he jokingly said something along the lines of "Now I'm at Manchester City I can get you 7mil a year, fancy it?".

Veron has clearly told somebody else, press/teammates, which has got leaked out and taken as gospel.

Didn't make sense us moving for him when it was leaked, 34 and although talented, proved with two seperate clubs that the Premier League isn't for him. He's clearly happy being the captain of the team he supports.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

veron is a slimey little rat

 

[mrmario]

There was no way this story was ever true. Veron wouldn't get anywhere near the squad.

 

[JULES]

I watched the estudiantes game last night, good side.

 

[johnny on the spot]

Mancini to Veron: 'Why did the chicken crossa the road...?'

Goal.com: 'Mancini in talks with Veron'

Veron: '...I still don't get it'

Daily Mirror: 'United Flop Veron Says No to City'
Balague: 'Veron Bid a Smokescreen For Summer Aguero Tilt'
Tribal Football: 'City in world-record chicken bid'
News of the World: 'City Star in Rotisserie Arrest'
Swanson: 'Three Bargain Buckets please. What are you having, sweetheart?'