Mancini to hold Tevez talks

Roberto Mancini is hopeful of convincing unsettled striker Carlos Tevez to stay at Manchester City when the pair meet for talks on Friday.

Tevez stunned the club by handing in a transfer request over the weekend, saying relationships with ‘certain executives’ have broken down beyond repair.

Although City turned down his request, speculation over the Argentine’s future has dominated discussion during the week and overshadowed the club’s Europa League clash with Juventus on Thursday.

The 26-year-old did not travel to Turin with his team-mates, but Mancini said he will speak to Tevez upon his return to England on Friday.

“I haven’t spoken to him yet. He is our player and I hope he continues to play for us and score for us,” said Mancini.

“I will speak with him on Friday.”

Asked whether he thought he could persuade Tevez to stay, Mancini said: “I don’t know, I don’t know. Carlos is our player and will stay with us.”

It would be a massive blow for Manchester City if they were to lose Tevez, who is their leading scorer with 10 Premier League goals this season.

Mancini admitted he was surprised Tevez wanted out of Eastlands, particularly given that City have surged to third on the Premier League table heading into the busy Christmas and New Year period.

“I am disappointed because we are in a good moment and in a good position in the table and our focus must be on this,” he said.

“I want to speak to him. Carlos has three-and-a-half years left on his contract.”

“It is important we speak. We have important games coming up against Juventus tomorrow and against Everton on Monday and lots of (other) important games this month.”

“I speak with him a lot – we spoke only last week.”