Manchester City's manager Roberto Mancini (L) and Carlos Tevez hold the trophy after defeating Stoke City in their FA Cup final soccer match at Wembley Stadium, in London, May 14, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - Carlos Tevez appears set to return to Brazilian club Corinthians after five years in England, with Manchester City saying a deal has been reached to sell the striker.

Despite being under contract to City for another three years, the Argentina striker said earlier this month that he wanted to leave the Premier League club after two seasons to be closer to his family.

City had been reluctant to sell Tevez and had reportedly been holding out for a 50-million pound ($81 million) bid from Corinthians, but now a breakthrough has been reached.

"We have an agreement with Corinthians," City manager Roberto Mancini told Britain's Sky Sports TV on the Vancouver stop of City's North America tour. "But Carlos now is still a City player."

Asked whether Tevez would now be discussing personal terms with Corinthians, Mancini responded: "I don't know this. I repeat: at the moment, Carlos is still a City player."

Corinthians president Andres Sanchez responded on the club website by saying "nothing concrete" has been agreed.

Sanchez said City has sent a counter offer in which "the Premier League club asks for changes in the manner of payment and the total value of the transfer."

The statement said City is asking that Tevez give up an undisclosed sum owed to him by the club.

Argentina's Carlos Tevez walks away after his penalty kick was blocked by Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera during their quarter-final soccer match at the Copa America in Santa Fe, July 16, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

The 27-year-old Tevez spent two years with Corinthians, becoming the first non-Brazilian to win the league's player of the season award for 29 years, before moving to London in 2006.

After spending the season at West Ham, he joined Manchester United and won the Premier League twice before defecting to crosstown rival City.

As the Premier League's joint-top scorer last season, Tevez helped City finish third and qualify for the Champions League for the first time. He also captained the side in the FA Cup final when City won its first major title since 1976.