Doubts over Tevez future at City

Manchester City’s hopes of retaining captain Carlos Tevez may be hindered by news the club will not recruit heavily in the close season.

The future of Tevez has been the subject of intense speculation this campaign.

Following the 2010 World Cup, the striker announced his desire to quit European football prematurely to spend more time with his daughters in Argentina.

City manager Roberto Mancini claimed after the FA Cup final victory that Tevez wanted to stay at Eastlands next season.

But the 27-year-old has reportedly refuted Mancini’s comments, insisting he is still weighing up his options over a possible move.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Italy’s Inter Milan have both been touted as potential destinations.

His former partner and daughters are believed to be more likely to settle in continental Europe, particularly Spanish-speaking Madrid.

The prospect of a genuine title challenge and Champions League football next season might encourage Tevez to remain in Manchester.

But in a further complication, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is set to release a video message playing down suggestions the club will recruit widely.

“It won’t be like last summer, or the summer before,” Khaldoon says in the video, to be released Thursday on the club website.

“What you will see this year is strengthening the squad in areas that we feel require more depth. We don’t need quantity, as today we have quality. We just need a couple of players.”

A reduction in transfer spending and wage payments will be necessary if City are to meet the forthcoming UEFA financial fair-play regulations.

But if Tevez does not believe the club’s recruitment policy can match his ambition, he could move on in the close-season.