Published: Today at 10:06
ROBERTO MANCINI has confirmed Mario Balotelli is STAYING at Manchester City.
The former Inter Milan striker was linked with a move back to Serie A following his sending off in the defeat at Arsenal, with Mancini admitting he would “probably” sell him.
And reports in Italy have claimed AC Milan were weighing up a swap deal involving him and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
But Mancini played down the speculation and said: “Ibra is a great player but I don’t think Milan want to sell him.
“Mario has been very clear and I reiterate, Balotelli will remain at Manchester 101 per cent.”
Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, also tipped the 21-year-old to stay at the Etihad.
He said: "Balotelli had a turbulent end to the season but next year he wants to become a starter at Manchester City.
"Balotelli leaving City? I don’t think that it will be an option before 2014. He does not want to leave, he is happy there."
Meanwhile Balotelli — who set up Sergio Aguero for the 94th-minute winner against QPR which earned City their first league title since 1968 on Sunday — has been included in Italy’s preliminary squad for the Euro 2012.
And Mancini backed his striker to light up the tournament in Poland and Ukraine. He added: “I am confident Mario will have a great European championship.
“I hope he will be the leader of the national team because he is the best Italian striker. He just needs to make his brain work. That is his only problem.”
Balotelli joined City from Inter in August 2010 and is under contract until June 2015.
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