Tevez could leave Manchester City after all

LONDON (Reuters) – Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez has repeated his threat to leave the club to be closer to his family in Argentina.<br />The striker handed in a transfer request in December but then committed his future to the club, who won their first major trophy in 35 years in Saturday’s FA Cup final.

Manchester City's Carlos Tevez celebrates with the the trophy lid on his head after defeating Stoke City in their FA Cup final soccer match at Wembley Stadium, in London May 14, 2011. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

“I don’t have problems with anyone at the club, things are fine (with coach Roberto) Mancini and everyone, but it’s a decision I need to discuss with my family whether I stay or not,” he was quoted as saying by several British newspapers on Tuesday.

“My family, my kids are a long distance away from Manchester and if there is an option to go then it will be something to do with my family and children. It would be a personal decision rather than a professional one.”

City have plenty of forward options and could buy another top striker thanks to their Abu Dhabi owners but Tevez’s importance to the side was underlined by Mancini rushing him back from injury to start on Saturday.

The former Manchester United striker would be welcomed back by clubs in Argentina but whether they could pay the price expected by City is unlikely.

A move to another European team would leave City fans scratching their heads given the travel time to Argentina would be little different.

“It is not only distance that matters,” Tevez added cryptically.

(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)