Can any club afford to buy Tevez?

London: Manchester City adopted a remarkably sanguine approach on Tuesday to the potential disruption of Carlos Tevez once more agitating for a move away from Eastlands.

City's skipper has been their self-proclaimed attacking talisman in the two years since his move across Manchester, but he is more determined than ever to leave after going public over his longing for a family reunion.

The homesick striker may be shedding tears for Argentina, but within Eastlands City remained unmoved as they responded with a ruthlessness that comes from mixing with the Barclays Premier League's big hitters.

The reply to Tevez's thinly-veiled pre-Christmas attack on chief executive Garry Cook left the forward in no doubt that his departure would be on the club's terms, not his, and there was little sign of a shift in policy after his second transfer demand in eight months.

The conditions for any sale were much the same as before — £50 million (Dh294.181 million) to City and £200,000 a week to Tevez, if he can get it. Not that Tevez is a stranger to transfers, having moved from Boca to Corinthians to West Ham to Manchester United to Manchester City... all in five years.

Extended leave

As the battle of wills became well and truly joined, it raised the question of who could possibly afford such an outlay. Apart from City themselves, there are few candidates.

Tevez, who is playing for Argentina at the Copa America, has been given extended leave by City. But they will expect him to return to training three weeks after his final game and before the Community Shield match against Manchester United on August 7 — unless another club is rich enough to pay up.

A swap deal is one option, with Chelsea known admirers. But whether City would be prepared to take Fernando Torres is another question. Samuel Eto'o of Inter Milan is another player who has been considered, but that deal appears to have reached a dead end.

Though Juventus are prepared to negotiate a pay deal in the region of Tevez's current package, they will not go above £35 million for the fee and, anyway, are concentrating on Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero.

Sportsmail understands Juve sporting director Giuseppe Marotta contacted Aguero and his agent at Argentina's Copa America camp on Monday and received positive feedback about a move to Turin.

Juventus' follow-up bid of nearly £30 million plus Portugal midfielder Tiago Mendes, currently on loan at Atletico, was rejected by the Spanish club, who are pushing for closer to Aguero's £42 million escape clause. Tevez and Giuseppe Rossi are the other names on Juve's wanted list, but City's refusal to budge from their £50 million valuation looks like making the unhappy Argentina forward unattainable for the Italians, who are still hoping to reach a compromise for Aguero.

City's stance is likely to have the same inhibiting effect on potential interest from Real Madrid and Inter Milan. Real are juggling other attacking targets, such as Aguero and Brazil's Neymar, and even Inter chief Massimo Moratti is thinking twice about committing to such an amount.

Increased pressure

The stand-off between City and their prize asset throws up a number of imponderables, not least how Tevez might react if, as seems distinctly possible, there are no takers and he has to stay put.

Tevez's departure would increase the pressure on Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli to start producing on a regular basis, even though City would seek to replenish their attacking numbers as a matter of urgency.

Former City midfielder Paul Lake, now the club's ambassador in the community, is convinced they can prove their worth, despite failing to deliver last season. "Everyone knows Carlos is a major player for us," he said.

"It would be a terrible loss, as it would for any team, but we have got players now who are going to get better. He still has three years left on his contract, so we are in the driving seat over this.

"We are aware of his wishes and the statement he has put out, but let's see what develops. The attraction of this club is there for all to see, no matter what anyone says.

"We have made a statement to the football world over the past year and are able to attract top players, regardless. That is going to stand us in good stead."

Pros and cons

Martin Keown on why Carlos Tevez is such a nightmare to play against for defenders, and why City will miss him so much.

The Barcelona work ethic

It is a modern trend in football that your outstanding players, the most talented guys, work so hard for the team. We see it most of all with Barcelona. It is perhaps not such as given in the Barclays Premier League, but with Tevez it is. He works his socks off for the team. He's not only moving but moving fast, pushing forward or dropping deep at pace.

Sparky and smart

Tevez is very competitive. If you give him close attention he seems to thrive on that a bit — he'll have a little bit of a kick back. He's got all the ingredients in his game of a sparky competitor but he isn't just a scrapper. He is so smart on and off the ball.

Get tight or fight

It is advice you often give defenders but with Tevez, of all players, you have to get especially tight. When he drops off, you've got to make up your mind to go after him. A lot of defenders pull away because he comes in from such deep positions, but the last thing you want to give him is space. He is an irritating type to play against because he never gives up, there's no such thing as a lost cause.

Have Boots, Can Travel

He travels with the ball so well. Like a lot of Argentinian players, he is almost on top of the ball when he dribbles. Messi is the same. As a result, once he has turned and is running with it, it is very difficult to dispossess him.

Beardsley meets Gazza

He reminds me of Peter Beardsley because of his body shape and the way he can play in the deep role, but where Beardsley was happy to be second fiddle and play more as a provider.

Big money, big risk

No matter how fantastic a player Tevez is, I would be worried about buying him. If you are the chairman you'll always be wondering if he's going to turn around suddenly and say he wants to leave your club as well. If he's prepared to leave United and City, will he really be happy to settle in for the long haul at Inter Milan or Real Madrid?