I’ll miss you, Mario
Last Updated: 30th January 2013
MARIO BALOTELLI will leave Manchester City — despite them drawing a blank at Loftus Road.
The striker will sign for AC Milan today in a £19.5million deal, bringing to an end his chaotic 2½-year stay at the Etihad.
But City could have done with his scoring skills last night as they failed to beat rock-bottom QPR.
SunSport told you on December 18 how the Serie A giants were planning a cut-price deal to take the 22-year-old forward back home this month.
Milan will pay £17m up front with a potential £2.5m in add-ons.
Mancini admitted he did not want the player to leave but had no choice but to let him return home to Italy.
He said: “We are so sad because Mario was an important player for us. With Mario we won the Premier League and the FA Cup in two years.
“It was difficult because he could be important in the next 14 games. But it’s important for Mario to go back to Italy.
MANCHESTER CITY boss bids farewell to Italian hot-head striker following move to AC Milan
“I think he can improve and I’m happy he will become one of the best players in the world.”
Mancini denied he had grown tired of Balotelli’s unpredictable behaviour.
He added: “For me, Mario was like another one of my children. You can be upset with him but afterwards he’s a lovely lad.
“I invest a lot of time with all players. With Mario, maybe more. It was emotional when we said goodbye. When I say that I love Mario, and all his team-mates love him, it’s true.”
City plan to wait until personal terms are sorted and his medical is passed before confirming the transfer officially.
Balotelli joined City for £24m from Inter Milan in August 2010.
City star Sergio Aguero tweeted: “Good luck Mario, no one will forget you round here.
“All the best in your new journey.”
QPR boss Harry Redknapp reckons his rock-bottom side have a fighting chance of staying up — if they bring in new faces before tomorrow’s transfer deadline.
Redknapp named two keepers on the bench last night and will step up his efforts to bring in Stoke striker Peter Crouch and Anzhi centre-back Chris Samba.
QPR manager praised his side's form after they turned in another 'solid performance' to frustrate the champs
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4769670/Mario-Balotelli-transfer-Roberto-Mancinis-sadness.html#ixzz2JSrCFtzQ
