Balotelli deal moves closer

July 28, 2010

Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli's move to Manchester City has moved a step closer after Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti revealed the striker is on his way out of the club.

The clubs have been in talks over a deal thought to be worth £24million for the 19-year-old.

Moratti told Sky Italia: "Everyone is right about Balotelli, he is a talent, who in my opinion, has yet to express himself 100 per cent, but this talent, in this moment, doesn't seem so indispensable.

"We have important offers and objectives of an economic character, so you make a sacrifice with the player who everyone wants, not with the one who you try to sell and no one wants.

"Balotelli remains a great talent, but for us it's almost an obligation to exit in this way. I definitely had a good relationship with him, then again I don't know what he'll say about that."

What do you think? Have your say.

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clause, denmark (28/07/2010 at 14:16)

Think he might sign today already.... cant tell you why, its just a feeling

dandas, malta (28/07/2010 at 14:19)

hes short fused
but if he gets the love of the fans
watch out hes a great talent at 19 years
italy really needed him at the worldcup

truebluetoronto, M19 > SW14 > Toronto > Oshawa Ontario (28/07/2010 at 14:21)

I was surprised to read in the headlines, ref the Red side, that "...Sir Alex Ferguson has been given the green light to make one major signing before the start of the season. United chief executive, David Gill, insists the money is available to bring a superstar to Old Trafford before the transfer window closes..."

Isn't that amazing? Aren't they lucky? They can sign one superstar. That's right, one superstar.

There has been speculation, of course. Is it a name as big as Berbatov? or Ronaldo? or Robinho? Well now it seems they are about to sign Dan Druff from Ayr United, as he has been seen with a suitcase getting off a tram at Old Trafford Station (this is from a very reliable source).

black and blue, manchester, where else? (28/07/2010 at 14:25)

just get it over and done with please.

Drew Peacock (28/07/2010 at 14:32)

He seems a bit of a nutcase, but so was Cantona and Fergie made him into a rags legend. Di Canio too and he was a great player for West Ham.

Looking at some of his goals on you tube, and considering his impressive stats for a 19 year old (20 goals in 59 Seria A games, not to mention how many of those games he came on as a sub) he is definitely worth the risk!

Plus he will be eligible under the new rules for not only this season but next - SIGN HIM UP!

dingdongbell, north (28/07/2010 at 14:45)

another superstar signing, oh dear will it ever end, HOPE NOT!!! do you think he will be as good as berbaflop ?

HeavyRiffs, Manchester (28/07/2010 at 14:46)

Super Mario in, Crocky out. That's Tevez, Adebayour and Balotelli as the three main strikers, super sweet...

Paul Calf, Handforth (28/07/2010 at 14:47)

Seriously, this isn't news.

Emjay See supporting City is not being able to wake from a dream that keeps getting better and bette (28/07/2010 at 14:49)

Maradonna is available - think Fergie could be tempted to add some younger blood to his ageing squad

dingdongbell, north (28/07/2010 at 14:50)

hope he plays against the rags, can you imagine him running into Neville the chuckle, it would be like a nat hitting a wind screen

blueballs (28/07/2010 at 14:53)

truebluetoronto, M19 > SW14 > Toronto > Oshawa Ontario (28/07/2010 at 14:21)

I read that headline on the red side as well and it doesn't add up. If you only had the money for one "superstar" player why would you go and slapsh it all just on one player when you've got several areas that need addressing. As one poster below that story pointed out it's most likely a ploy to try and sell more season tickets. Such is utd's sad sad situation they're only in the same boat as a lot of other prem clubs who could afford to buy a superstar player but have got more sense than to spend all their cash in such a way. Would any of us spend all our weekly shopping budget on one joint of prime ribeye? Course not we'd go to Iceland and buy enough cut price frozen sausages to last us the week.

proudtobeblue (28/07/2010 at 14:53)

This kid has the potential to be a superstar,and once Mancini has him back under his wing, he will be able to relax and enjoy his football with a manager who has nurtured his talent and shown faith in him once already,and we will see the best of him. He has all the attributes you want in a footballer,speed,skill,strength and will to win,and at 19 already has an excellent scoring ratio. He looks the type of player who will not be afraid to mix it with the agricultural teams in our league and stand up to them. He will already have experienced every dirty trick defenders try in Italy, so that side of the game won't be a shock to him. given patience and time to settle, he could become a part of City history over the next 10 years or more!

definitelymanchester, Palatine Road (28/07/2010 at 14:54)

Think I might get a job for the MEN as a sport journalist. All you need to do is scan newnsnow every 5 minutes then pick a story that looks credible and rework it to make it look like your own. Hey presto you've got a good story. Give me £50k a year for doing that. Easy life.

ex.hattersleyblue, kettering (28/07/2010 at 15:04)

There's a lot of green eyed rag fans giving our massive club envious looks. This season let's put them out of there misery. Win the lot.! Then let's see all the glory hunting rags abandon there sinking ship. ! Bluemoon is rising fast. Glaziers rags are sinking at last.!! Yeeahh..

Half time time pint, STILL queuing at the bar. (28/07/2010 at 15:28)

[quote name=blueballs]truebluetoronto, M19 > SW14 > Toronto > Oshawa Ontario (28/07/2010 at 14:21)

Amazing that wasn't it. On the day utd anounce thousands of unsold season tickets, Gill comes out and anounce thay can afford a star player. Even the swamp dwellers didn't believe it. Very funny.

dave stretton (28/07/2010 at 15:34)

How many stories can the MUEN get out of this transfer saga? same old story,same old out come! Just let us know when he signs on the dotted line.

Ewesy, Workington (28/07/2010 at 15:40)

Mancini has a ruthless streak that compliments his more amiable, affable style we see on the TV - essential quality if we are going to move to the "next level" - I was a Hughes fan but he stuck by his favourites where Manacini can cut loose and move on.

We need to start the exit of the players leaving in order to meet the new quota, better to accept reasonable fees or loan deals than pay them to sit on their rses!

silva socks, middleton (28/07/2010 at 15:42)

i think the lad will be looked after well by bobby and the other italian coaching staff,him and king carlos up front...tasty!!! ctid

Phil Neal's Laxative, Somewhere in Baden (28/07/2010 at 15:48)

definitelymanchester, Palatine Road

It's not as easy as you think being a MEN journalist. They also need to think up appealing yet noncommital headlines to lure us suckers into thinking there might be a genuine news article in there somewhere!

The Pope, Rome (28/07/2010 at 15:58)

Nice 1 City.

We've just bagged the number 1 striking prospect in the world.

Support this lad and he will destroy teams for us..

The new Drogba in my opinion.

Well happy.

Evan Georgiou (28/07/2010 at 16:04)

Our strikers are starting to look up for a fight-Tev's/Ade/Ballo and Bellers...it's been a long time since we really got the opposition scared...
Our wingers are starting to look unplayable-Adam/Robi/Silva/SWP.....it's been a long time since we had so much skill....
Our Midfielders are starting to look like they mean business-Nigel/Gareth/Yaya/Viera...it's been a long time since we had some bite...
Our Defenders are atrting to look mean-Jolo/Kolo/Kola/Jerome/Vinny....it's been a long time since we looked solid at the back....
Our keepers are the best two in the league-we have never had this....and I have not even mentioned our bench....
Forza Roberto.

Half time time pint, STILL queuing at the bar. (28/07/2010 at 16:20)

Phil Neal's Laxative, Somewhere in Baden]definitelymanchester, Palatine Road

It's not as easy as you think being a MEN journalist. They also need to think up appealing yet noncommital headlines to lure us suckers into thinking there might be a genuine news article in there somewhere!

Yeah. You've got to give them their due. They are good at that. Then they've got to put up with all the abuse when we all realise it's another old re-hash. Still it passes the day.

George Roper (28/07/2010 at 17:01)

This guy will be a hit and at 6,3, strong and quick just what we need up front. The goals will fly in, shirts will fly out of the stores and Robinho will return a changed man.

Gareth Barry's left foot, Manchester (28/07/2010 at 17:30)

Balotelli is a fantastic player already but has the talent to be a world beater if he wants it... People say he's moody and can be hard work, well he's 19yrs old, arn't all teenagers moody gets, answer YES !!!

Look he's had to suffer racial abuse in Italy, often from his own "fans" so no wonder he gets a sulk on from time to time... He's a 19yr old who already has enough money to retire now if he wanted, so little wonder he's a bit flash, a bit moody !!! (wouldn't you be if you were 19 with a few million in the bank)

What he also has is the potential to be one of, if not the, best player in the world (I dont exagerate when I say that, just wait till you see him play) and unlike alot of 19yr old players he already knows what its like to win trophys (2 Serie A titles, 2 Italian cups, an Italian league cup, a European Super cup and lets not forget the biggest of them all The Champions League)

If or when we sign him then Premier league defences had better stand by, He's raw natural power, and he's a kid with a point to prove. I for one cant wait to see him in a blue shirt so come on City get him signed and lets unleash him on the Premier League...!!!

truebluetoronto, M19 to SW14 to Toronto to Oshawa Ontario (28/07/2010 at 17:49)

Do you believe in coincidences? On the same day Utd announce their season ticket sales are down and they discover their season ticket waiting list evapourated, in the same week another installment of the Ronaldo fee is due, Gill anounces with a straight face and no sign of embarrasment that "...SAF has been given the green light to make one major signing before the start of the season. as money is available to bring a superstar to Old Trafford before the transfer window closes..."

Isn't that amazing? Aren't they lucky? Their shopping mall owners say they can sign one superstar. That's right, one superstar.

There has been speculation, of course. Is it a name as big as Berbatov? or Tevez? or Ronaldo? or Robinho? or Maradona? Is it a chance to team-up some players who played well together in the past like Robbie Fowler (available) to play with Michael Owen? or the Neville Brothers? or the Charlton Brothers? or the Doobie Brothers?

Well now it seems they are about to sign Dan Druff from Ayr United, as he has been seen with a suitcase getting off a tram at Old Trafford Station (from a very reliable source).

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