Saturday, 13/11/2010
MIDFIELDER Juan Sebastian Veron has turned down a 7-million-pound (US$11.2 million) offer to move from Argentine club Estudiantes to the English Premier League’s Manchester City.
Veron’s representative said the Argentina playmaker turned down the overture from City manager Roberto Mancini. The two played together at Italian clubs Lazio and Sampdoria and Mancini later coached Veron at Inter Milan.
Veron’s representative Miguel Pires said in a radio interview on Tuesday that Man City had offered to pay Estudiantes 7 million pounds (US$11.2 million) and pay Veron the same amount.
“The fax arrived offering 7 million pounds for Sebastian and the same amount for the club,” Pires said on radio La Red. “But Sebastian didn’t move a muscle, and neither did the vice president of the club.”
The news agency DYN quoted Veron saying “it was not a matter of money,” and said he felt more comfortable staying with the Argentine club.
Veron led Estudiantes to the Copa Libertadores title last year _ the top club title in South America - and has been one of the most consistent players on Argentina’s up-and-down national team coached by Diego Maradona. He was Estudiantes’ best player in the Club World Cup final last month in Abu Dhabi, where Barcelona won 2-1 in extra time on a goal by countryman Lionel Messi.
Veron, 34, moved to Manchester United in 2001 and later played with Chelsea, but had only so-so success with both English clubs.
Man City has splashed out big money in the last several seasons on the transfer market, acquiring top players like Robinho, Carlos Tevez, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor. — AP
Tags: English Premier League, EPL 2009/10, Juan Sebastian Veron, Manchester City, Transfer News
