Carlos Tevez staying at Manchester City, Roberto Mancini says
• Inter rejected swap involving Samuel Eto'o, manager says
• Roberto Mancini hints at move for Arsenal's Samir Nasri
Edward Gibbes
The Observer, Sunday 3 July 2011
Article history
Carlos Tevez will not now be waving goodbye to Manchester City, according to Roberto Mancini. Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters
Roberto Mancini has said Carlos Tevez will not be leaving Manchester City this summer, after the club failed to agree a swap deal with Internazionale for the Italian club's striker Samuel Eto'o. Mancini also said a deal for the Partizan Belgrade defender Stefan Savic has been done and hinted at an interest in Arsenal's Samir Nasri.
"Yes, of course Tevez will stay, he is a fantastic player," the former Inter manager Mancini said. "There was talk of an exchange with Eto'o but Inter did not want to sell. I would say a deal for Savic has been done, but Nasri? No, not yet."
City have been linked with a variety of players in the transfer window and Mancini did nothing to quell speculation, naming a selection from Serie A. "I like Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani. I like Javier Pastore a little less. Then, when I think of Udinese, I can think of Pablo Armero and Mauricio Isla. And I must say Antonio Di Natale. It's a pity that he is now getting on in years."
Nasri himself was reported on Saturday to have bemoaned his lack of trophies since arriving at Arsenal in 2008, saying that money is not his motivating factor. Negotiations have stalled on a new deal at the Emirates and, with the Frenchman's contract running out next summer, Arsenal may choose to cash in on him now rather than wait and lose him on a free transfer. Nasri's situation has sparked reported interest from both Manchester clubs and Chelsea.
"We already earn huge wages," Nasri said. "The priority is to make a big career and to win titles … With no titles under your belt, you can't be in the list for the Ballon D'Or. I came to England to get trophies because I haven't won anything in my career. I am hungry for titles. I play football because I love this sport and want to feel the emotion of winning. Lifting a trophy all together, this is the beauty and sense of team sports."