• Serie A

Inter cool Balotelli bid talk

ESPN staff
April 12, 2012
Mario Balotelli saw red against Arsenal © Getty Images
Enlarge

Inter Milan have distanced themselves from reports suggesting they will make a move for Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli this summer.

Balotelli's rollercoaster season plunged on Sunday when he was sent off against Arsenal - after which City boss Roberto Mancini said the striker was likely to be sold.

It was swiftly claimed that Inter and their city rivals AC Milan were readying bids to bring the Italy international back to Serie A.

Inter clearly have a soft spot for Balotelli and are keeping tabs on his situation, but the club are not looking at putting together an offer at the moment.

"For the moment he's a Man City player," Inter president Massimo Moratti said.

"We followed what happened - he's always the same and he's technically really good.

"But we have not made moves, he's not in our plans, even if we know he's really strong."

Juventus have also been linked, though not as strongly as the Milan clubs, but director general Beppe Marotta said they would not be in the running for his signature.

"A lot of people are interested, but we are out of it," Marotta said. "I hope that he stays at City, where the club and the directors have focused on him a lot. I hope he finds a balance and the mentality to become a champion."

Marotta also played down speculation that Juve were interested in AC Milan duo Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf. "These two players are a long way from our thinking," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices