DownSwinging.com

Carlos Tevez announced recently that he will not be returning as a Manchester United player next season, despite the reds meeting the £25.5m asking price. The Argentine forward finds himself out of contract, and is currently fielding offers from Chelsea and Manchester City. Tevez has already snubbed the scousers as he admitted it would be too tumultuous of a decision to join Liverpool, United’s greatest rivals. Tevez has been winning United fans over for the past two seasons, with his fiesty play, his quiet demeanor and his knack for scoring timely goals. Tevez’s departure means yet another shift of power in the Premier League.

Tevez is an unusual case, as he is owned by the Argentine International Advisors, a third party that owns his economic rights. Therefore, unlike most players who leave at the end of a contract, Carlos will not sign with a team for free. The adviors have set the aforementioned £25.5m asking price, which will be met by whoever eventually signs the player. Here is what the Tevez departure means to the English Premier League:

Manchester United: Carlitos’ exit is by no means a huge shock, or even, a devastating blow to the Mancs, but it creates just one more void to be filled by Sir Alex Ferguson in the attacking third of the pitch. It complements the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and means that, as of now, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov are the only proven strikers in the team. It is now clear that Man Utd must invest in their attack, whether it be Karim Benzema of France’s Lyon, Real Madrid’s, out of favor, Klaas Jan Huntelaar or Wigan’s Antonio Valencia. Rumors have also cropped up about United chasing Brazilian and Gremio teenager, Douglas Costa, as being the long-term solution to the loss of Ronaldo. Either way, United have work to do to regain their status as Premier League front-runners. They have the £80m that they will recieve once Ronaldo’s transfer is completed, which gives them a huge leap forward on the rest of the transfer season. One thing is for sure, United fans will miss their Argentine fox-in-the-box.

Manchester City: City are front-runners for Tevez’s signature, as he wouldn’t have to move, and money is no object to Mark Hughes at the Eastlands. The only thing that interests me is, why City is interested in Tevez. In Robinho, they already possess a small, quick footed attacker with an eye for goal. Assumed knowledge insists it is often more effective to put a small forward with a powerful, strong in the air, type. It could be that City want to place the two attakers on the flanks and put a more natural scorer in the middle. That could work…

Chelsea: For me, Tevez’s free agency has little effect on the blues. Other than the fact that Chelsea should now see another player spurn Abramovich’s huge checkbook. Chelsea find themselves chasing Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor, of Arsenal. I find it unlikely that Chelsea will land either, thus creating an even more difficult time for new boss, Carlo Ancelotti.