Mancini pushes Tevez closer to the exit

Roberto Mancini has signalled the end for Carlos Tevez as a Manchester City player by admitting it is “important” the Argentina striker is sold.

The 27-year-old has not played for the Premier League leaders after refusing to warm up in City’s 2-0 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League at the Allianz Arena at the end of September.

The former Manchester United livewire is currently AWOL in Argentina after refusing to return to training following an internal club suspension and his future remains the subject of intense speculation. Those looking at the Premier League odds will know the side haven’t let this distracted them.

Mancini’s admission comes on the same day AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed he had been given permission to speak to the Premier League and Champions League winner.

“Tevez is a City player. The English club has authorised us to speak to his agent but we haven’t spoken directly to City yet,” Galliani told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We don’t know what City want.

“I prefer not to speak too much about Tevez, otherwise his price will go up and this is not good.”

The Serie A giants have made no secret of their desire to take Tevez on loan to help cover for Antonio Cassano but an agreement to buy next summer could also be made part of the deal.

Mancini said former Boca Juniors favourite Tevez would never play for City again in the wake of his snub in Germany and the Italian is keen for the matter to be resolves so he and the rest of the squad can move on. Anyone placing football bets will be keeping a close eye on things.

“I don’t know what the situation is with Carlos at this moment,” Mancini said ahead of Wednesday’s final Group A Uefa Champions League clash against the already-qualified Bundesliga title-chasers.

“I think that for us it is important to sell him. We can do this for him and for the club. If he has the chance to go to Italy, I am happy for him.”