Here at CSN we don't normally report transfer rumours that we have not independently verified. There is simply too much noise out there to make it worth our time.
We'll make an exception today, due to the absurdity of the rumour and to examine it on a deeper level.
Carlos Tevez is linked to Toronto FC
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For what it's worth, the rumour suggests that TFC would pay Manchester City 10-million (the report wasn't clear whether that was USD, or Pound Sterling) and pay Tevez $85-million over three years.
That's a lot of money, but the only way TFC could possibly attract a player of Tevez' skill (and make no mistake, he's still very skilled and would likely become the best striker in MLS -- if he showed up motivated -- instantly) would be to pay him a lot of money.
What makes us give this a second thought is that it fits a few things that TFC general manager Kevin Payne has been hinting at (we're about to bring in a player that would become the best at his position in MLS) and that it fits MLSE (that's the owners of TFC for those finding this through a search) president Tim Leiweke's M.O. (the man signed Beckham, after all).
There is also a feeling among some that the only way TFC can achieve relevance again is to make a signing like this. Thus, you can understand how MLSE could be convinced to spend this kind of money.
It's unclear whether Tevez would be willing to move to MLS at this time. He is just 29. However, this is a player that crossed one of the least crossable lines in world football when he moved to City from Manchester United. The money played a big part of that move, so it might be the determining factor here too.
With three league titles, an English FA Cup and League Cup and a Champions League title, he has won all that he can in Europe. Additionally, City needs to make some moves this summer to comply with Financial Fair Play rules. Oh, and the club is now a partner with MLS.
The more you start breaking this down, the less absurd it seems, actually.
What isn't absurd at all is the idea that MLSE might feel that they need to make a move like this to make TFC relevant again.
Whether it's the right thing to do is the question.