AC Milan are set to offer £17 million for Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli as the Serie A giants show serious intent to bring the striker to the San Siro.
The 22-year-old’s future at the Etihad has come under constant speculation in recent months even though manager Roberto Mancini has made it clear that the club won’t sale any of their players in the winter transfer window.
Milan’s vice president Adriano Galliani showed interest in the player on a few occasions but are unwilling to meet the £24 million asking price set by City.
City bought Balotelli for €22 million in 2010 from Inter Milan and therefore could be looking to make some profit from any future deal. Milan could well increase their offer by €4 million which could tempt City to enter into a negotiation before the January transfer window closes.
Galliani confirmed that Milan won’t be pushing for Real Madrid midfielder Kaka and former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, but feels the deal for Balotelli could yet occur.
According to reports from the Guardian, Milan are looking to pay any fees in six installments which could prove to be a stumbling block as City want a one-time lump-sum payment for the player that can be swiftly reinvested.
Milan have already tried to take the Italy international on loan but it was rebuffed. Mino Riola, the player’s agent met City’s chief executive Ferran Soriano in Manchester earlier this month for any possibility of a temporary move for the player.
While Balotelli has only made 15 league appearances this season, his off the pitch peccadilloes were well highlighted in the media. The Italian was involved in a training ground bust up with the manager while he was ready to take his club to tribunal following the fine imposed on him by City for disciplinary charges – he accepted the fine later.
As it stands, Milan are yet to make any concrete offer for Super Mario while City could enter into a negotiation once they receive the bid, with Mancini, his staunch supporter now privately accepts the player’s future lies away from Manchester.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
