Football: Tevez wanted to join an Italian side

Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez wanted to join an Italian side in December.

LONDON: Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez wanted to quit the club to join an Italian side in December, revealed club manager Roberto Mancini.

Tevez handed in a transfer request after losing hope at Eastlands, but reports suggested that he wanted to return to Argentina, or quit the game altogether.

The striker, who came very close to leaving the club, opted to stay and Mancini now admits he preferred to join the Italian side. “Carlos told us back in December that he wants to go to Italy,’’ said Mancini. “But if he changes his mind, I would be happy.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2011.