CITY HOLD TALKS

The Premier league champions Manchester City are currently holding talks with the Italian clubs Juventus and AC Milan over the potential sale of the striker Mario Balotelli. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the club after causing a series of troubles during his two-year spell at the club.

He has also failed to lighten the Premier league with goals this season. Despite making 14 appearances in the Premier league, Balotelli has managed to score just one goal – against relegation threatened Wigan Athletic. The manager Roberto Mancini was recently pictured having a bust up with the Italian, although he was quick to deny it.

It seems to have proven to be the final straw for the club owners, who have been displeased by the antics of the Italian. Balotelli was a £ 24 million signing from Inter Milan three years ago. He has managed to display flashes of his talent on several occasions, but he has been one of the most inconsistent players as well. This combined with the several troubles on and off the pitch caused by the 22-year-old meant that spell at the Premier league club is likely to come to an end before the January transfer window.

"I don't think anything is going to happen. It's a shame the manager's not here. He might know more than me but as far as we are concerned I think he is still a Manchester City player," said the City assistant manager David Platt a few days ago. However, talks have started at an advanced stage in the last few hours between Manchester City and two Italian clubs – Juventus and AC Milan. It is thought that City will be looking to part with the player for around £ 22 million. Milan are desperately in need of a new striker following the sale of Pato.