By Soccernet staff
Mario Balotelli has travelled to Manchester for a
medical
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini expects to sign
Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli "today or tomorrow" and
admitted the deal was "close" to completion on Friday.
Balotelli has been on City's radar all summer and flew into
Manchester to undergo a medical on Friday, a day after it looked as
though the deal may have stalled.
But after talks between the two clubs on Thursday, the
negotiations progressed and the Italian striker now looks set to
move to the Premier League in a deal Gazzetta dello Sport
reports is worth €28 million.
"We are close with Balotelli," Mancini told a press conference
on Friday morning. "Hopefully today or tomorrow. Mario is on his
way here today."
Balotelli's Inter team-mate Marco Materazzi admits it is not
good news for the team's chances this season. "I am happy for
Mario, but we will be weakened by his departure," he told
Gazzetta.
Mancini also said James Milner was close to signing from Aston
Villa, although they are still sorting out the details of the deal.
"I think it will be okay but we need another two or three days," he
said. "When you do a deal, everything must go in a good way for
everybody, so we probably need another two or three days for this
situation."
It is reported that the Milner deal is being held up because
Stephen Ireland - who is due to be part of a part-exchange deal is
demanding a £2 million
pay-off. Asked whether that was the case, Mancini replied:
"I don't know about that."
Aston Villa caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald said on Friday:
"The latest about Milner is that talks are still ongoing. Nothing
can be done today in terms of him being signed in time to play
tomorrow. James has been put in the squad and will be available to
play for Aston Villa against West Ham."
Mancini rejected suggestions City are set to
buy Benfica defender David Luiz and Barcelona striker Zlatan
Ibrahimovic.
Mancini was non-committal about Robinho's chances of
remaining at Eastlands, but there is no place in his plans for
Craig Bellamy, who is attracting interest from Fulham, Tottenham,
Sunderland and Celtic. "I have to choose 25," Mancini said. "The
rest must find another team. Craig is out of the
list."
Bellamy this week claimed he had not spoken to Mancini in
several months, but the Italian said: "What he has said is not
important because it is false. I speak with the players every day
and Craig always played for me last year. This year I choose other
players. I am the manager and it is my choice."
Mancini also rejected suggestions City are set to buy Benfica
defender David Luiz and Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with
Balotelli and Milner set to represent the final deals of the
summer. "After these two players - finished," Mancini said.
