Tevez decides to leave Old Trafford
Tevez could join Manchester City after deciding to leave Old Trafford
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Saturday, 20, Jun 2009 11:17
Carlos Tevez has decided to leave Manchester United despite being offered a five-year contract by the club.
Tevez has been hinting for some time that he would not stay beyond the end of his loan agreement after struggling to force his way into Sir Alex Ferguson's first choice XI.
Rumours had suggested United were unwilling to meet Tevez's asking price earlier in the season in order to secure the player on a long-term basis.
Although United now have funds available, following the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, their inability to conclude the deal quickly seems to have put the Argentinean off committing himself to the club.
A statement from United said: "Following contact received from Carlos Tevez's advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the club.
"The club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5m and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players."
United suggested that Tevez had been advised not to sign a new deal with the Premier League Champions and has followed it.
The statement added: "Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the club's most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.
"The club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future."
Tevez has been widely tipped to join rivals Manchester City, who have reportedly signed Roque Santa Cruz, while Chelsea, Barcelona, Liverpool and Real Madrid are also believed to be chasing the striker.