• Premier League

Mancini confirms interest in duo

ESPNsoccernet staff
July 9, 2010
Mario Balotelli won the Treble at Inter Milan last season © Getty Images
Enlarge

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted he is ready to swoop in for Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli and says the club possess "more than just an interest" in Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.

City have already spent substantial sums this summer on German defender Jerome Boateng, Spanish midfielder David Silva and Ivory Coast powerhouse Yaya Toure, but Balotelli is now firmly in the sights of the cash-rich Premier League club.

The Italy Under-21 international repeatedly fell out with Jose Mourinho at Inter last season and although the Portuguese has departed, to be replaced by Rafa Benitez, his future is very much still up for debate.

Mancini gave Balotelli his debut with the Nerazzurri in 2007 and is unconcerned by the player's disciplinary problems, meaning he is ready to make an offer should the 19-year-old become available.

"We are always interested in good players," Mancini told Il Giornale. "If Inter decide to sell [Balotelli], we will be there.

"I have no problems [with Balotelli]. The most important thing is that they are good, so that they go on the pitch and play well."

City have also been strongly linked with a move for Wolfsburg striker Dzeko who was top scorer in the Bundesliga last season. Mancini said of the Bosnian striker: "Certainly Dzeko is more than just an interest."

© 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