Manchester City Transfer News: Mario Balotelli staying put, says Roberto Mancini
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Football News 24/7
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists he has not received any offers for Mario Balotelli, and says the erratic forward won't leave the club this month.
Balotelli has been linked with a move back to Italy after falling down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium this season, while his career in Manchester has been frequently dogged by controversy and rumours of falling-outs.
Recently the 22-year-old was pictured having a training ground scuffle with Mancini, and his Cheshire house was put up for rent earlier this week, fuelling more rumours that he is on the verge of leaving the club.
AC Milan are believed to be leading the race for the controversial striker - however Mancini insists there has been no approach for Balotelli from any club whatsoever, and that he won't be sold in January.
"It is not true, Mario stays here. We didn't have any requests about Mario or other players," the Italian coach said.
Despite Mancini's protestations otherwise, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani revealedhe has held talks with Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola and City's Chief Executive Ferran Soriano over a potential move, but admitted he is unwilling to do business unless City reduce their asking price.
Milan president Silvio Berlusconi was more emphatic in his assessment of the possibility of the move happening, saying: "It's not possible in this day and age to play Monopoly. Galliani remains optimistic (about signing Balotelli) but the tough language of accounting keeps him from doing his work."
