Milan, Dec 11: AC Milan remains confident it can sign Carlos Tevez even though Manchester City has rejected its initial offer, and despite competition from Paris Saint-Germain.
On Tuesday, Milan sent a loan request to City for Tevez with an option for a permanent move at the end of the season.
“Manchester City's response arrived a couple of days ago. City thanks us but they're asking us to take him on a full transfer,” Milan vice president Adriano Galliani told Italy's Sky Sport on Saturday. “I'm hoping to persuade them to accept our offer. Tevez wants to join us.
“It's true that PSG is also in the running for his full transfer, and I spoke about that with Leonardo,” Galliani added, referring to PSG sporting director Leonardo, a former Milan player and manager. “The negotiations will be lengthy. It won't be done in a few days.”
If Milan cannot sign Tevez, Galliani said the backup plan is to sign Maxi Lopez—another Argentine forward—from Catania.
However, Tevez is clearly the first choice for the Rossoneri.
“If Tevez comes he'll strengthen an area that's already one of the best in the world,” said Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri. “With him we'll have the best attack in the world.”
Milan needs another striker because Antonio Cassano is out long-term following heart surgery. Tevez could play alongside Sweden center forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic and talented Brazil forwards Alexandre Pato and Robinho.
City manager Roberto Mancini has been feuding with Tevez since the Argentina international refused to warm up during a Champions League game against Bayern Munich in September. Tevez has not played for the club since the incident, after which City suspended him for two weeks and fined him a fortnight's wages.
“At Milan it's very easy to control these crazy heads,” Allegri said. “Although everyone has a different personality and they need to be controlled accordingly.”
