Mancini in talks with AC Milan over Tevez plus cash deal for Thiago Silva

Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by Goal.com

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini held talks with AC Milan on Monday over a deal for £40 million-rated defender Thiago Silva which could see Carlos Tevez moving to the San Siro.

Mancini met Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani at the Italian club’s headquarters and made an enquiry for Thiago Silva, despite insisting that he was simply catching up with old friends.

The City boss was quoted by Ansa on Tuesday insisting: "I didn't make any proposal for Thiago Silva ... I was in Milan for personal reasons and Galliani asked me to meet." However, Goal.com understands that initial discussions took place over the centre-back's future.

Contrary to reports in Italy, Mancini is understood to have suggested Tevez - rather than Mario Balotelli - as a potential makeweight in a swoop for the highly-rated Brazilian defender.

Milan have also shown an interest in signing Emmanuel Adebayor but are believed to have told Mancini they want a straight cash deal for Thiago Silva, who they value at £40m. Galliani reportedly added that the Rossoneri have already rejected a £32m bid from Spanish giants Barcelona.

Mancini has been linked with a move for Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic but Thiago Silva is the player he wants to lure to the Etihad Stadium. The 27-year-old is considered one of the best defenders in the world and is considered by Mancini as an ideal partner for City captain Vincent Kompany.

City’s chances of landing the player are helped by Milan’s need to raise funds and they could be ready to cash in on their most valuable asset. The Italian team’s coach, Massimiliano Allegri, wanted to make the 27-year-old his new captain but that scenario has been changed by his potential departure.

While City will consider a straight cash deal, they would prefer to offer a striker in part-exchange to land the former Fluminese man.

Tevez would be the obvious candidate having been a target for Milan in the January transfer window before the move collapsed.

The 28-year-old, who earns a basic salary of £198,000 per week and would be valued at around £25 million, recently said that he wants to stay at City after being brought back into the fold towards the end of the season following a six-month exile.

Mancini had previously indicated that Tevez was “finished” at City and is ready to offload on the striker as he looks to build a squad capable of retaining the Premier League title and challenging for Champions League glory next season.