Monaco plot £15m move for Manchester City star

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has emerged as a surprise summer transfer target for mega-rich Ligue 2 outfit AS Monaco, according to the Sunday Express.

Fresh from the Argentine's sensational hat-trick in yesterday's 5-0 FA Cup sixth round thrashing of Championship side Barnsley, reports surfaced this morning that the troubled star will leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.

With Monaco preparing a £15million bid for the South American striker, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is ready to let Tevez leave when the transfer window reopens.

The 29-year-old has just over a year remaining on his lucrative contract with the reigning Premier League champions, but with no talks over a new deal in the pipeline, the player is ready to look elsewhere.

Tevez has endured a turbulent couple of years at Manchester City after missing a large part of last season following his public falling-out with Mancini, which prompted the former West Ham and Manchester United striker to go AWOL for several months.

He was also arrested on Thursday afternoon on suspicion of driving whilst disqualified and awaits to hear whether he will be charged for an offence that could mean a short-term prison sentence.

A summer exit might benefit both parties, with Monaco eager to recruit Tevez to spearhead their forward line, as they continue their quest to recapture the glory years.