PSG no closer to deal for Tevez

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PARIS -- Paris Saint-Germain appears no closer to signing Carlos Tevez from Manchester City, with the player's adviser Kia Joorabchian reportedly saying there is still some way to go before an agreement could be reached.

The big-spending French club is desperate to sign a big name after missing out on former England captain David Beckham and AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato.

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti has made Tevez his priority, but Joorabchian suggested the French club's offer may have fallen short of Tevez's demands.

"I do not want to give details, but there is still some way to go before reaching an agreement. Furthermore, we are continuing discussions with other interested clubs," Joorabchian said Saturday in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper. "I don't want to speak for him. I can only tell you that Carlos is one of the very best players in the world and, when you're in that category, all factors are taken into account."

AC Milan and Inter Milan are among the clubs reportedly keen on signing the Argentina forward, who has not played for City since last September after refusing to warm up in a Champions League game away to Bayern Munich.

"Money counts, of course, but there is everything else," Joorabchian said. "The quality of life, people you work with, the advice of your family."

The lure of playing for Ancelotti, who twice won the Champions League as both coach and player with Milan, seems to be the factor weighing in PSG's favour.

"If Carlo Ancelotti was not the coach of PSG, we would not be in Paris or even discussing terms," Joorabchian said. "I think he is one of best coaches in the world, perhaps the best."

Ancelotti says he has not spoken to Tevez and that he has left all discussions to PSG sporting director Leonardo, who now seems resigned to looking for another player.

"Tevez has a big contract, he has a situation to resolve with Manchester City," Leonardo told France Info radio on Saturday. "The transfer market is very tough. We don't want to splash out. We'll do things for the good of the club, with players who want to come here and who believe in the project.

"(Tevez) gets on well with Ancelotti. But then you have contractual issues. You have to make some sacrifices to get a player like Tevez."