Corinthians confess they may not be able to increase their bid for Carlos Tevez after Sky Sports sources revealed an initial £35million offer has been rejected by Manchester City.
The Brazilian club made the multi-million pound approach, which would be funded through a percentage of a new television rights deal, on Monday in an attempt to re-sign their former striker on a minimum of a four-year contract.
Argentina international Tevez, who is currently on duty at the Copa America, wants to move back to South America at club level in order to be closer to his family and he remains unhappy in Manchester.
He requested a transfer with 'great regret' at the beginning of July, having withdrawn a previous demand last December, but City are understandably unwilling to allow their star forward to leave and Corinthians have confessed they are unable to improve their bid.
The club's president, Andres Sanchez, told the website of Brazilian newspaper Lance when asked about the scenario of City demanding more money: "If they ask this, Tevez will stay."
"If they ask this, Tevez will stay."
Corinthians president Andres Sanchez on the possibility of an increased bid Quotes of the week
Attraction
Tevez, a 2009 summer signing and City's club captain, had previously been linked with moves to Spain or Italy, where Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus were all thought to be interested.
But the 27-year-old's advisor, Kia Joorabchian, told Sky Sports News earlier on Tuesday that his client was flattered by the bid from Corinthians, with it not requiring too much interpretation to think the Brazilians had been encouraged to make an approach.
On top of his undoubted ability as a footballer, the worldwide marketability of Tevez would be another attraction for Corinthians, and a financial loss for City, as Sanchez acknowledges.
He said: "Twenty to 25 per cent of the TV shares of the next four years would be used to pay City, if they accepted.
"Tevez is a player who has great popular appeal for Corinthians. You can generate sponsorship."
Ransom
City, though, will not be held to ransom when it is considered Tevez, a Corinthians player between January 2005 and August 2006, still has three years left on his contract.
Some reports have suggested City owner Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak will not alter a valuation of £50million for a player who was the Premier League's joint top scorer last season and helped win the FA Cup.
Whether Corinthians will make a renewed approach and have the resources to match City's asking price remains to be seen.
But City will view their valuation as justified for a player who has scored 52 goals in 86 appearances, with 46 coming in the Premier League to make Tevez the most prolific frontman in England's top flight over the past two years.
City, despite their wealth, will also have in mind the need for value for money amid ongoing speculation they will attempt to activate the £40m release clause in the contract of wantaway Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero.
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