MANSOUR WILL NOT SELL

The Manchester city manager Roberto Mancini has said that the owner of the club – Sheikh Mansour – is not interested in selling the striker Mario Balotelli, despite rumours linking the Italian with a move away from the club in the January or summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old has been causing a lot of troubles at the club ever since arriving in a £ 24 million deal from Inter Milan in 2010. He has been regarded as one of the best young talent in world football, but is yet to display his talent on a consistent basis. Mancini has been extremely patient with the striker over the years, but it is thought that he has finally run out of patience.

The current form of the striker has been rumoured to be one of the reasons for it. He has scored just one Premier league goal all season, while he was a major disappointment in the recent 3-2 defeat at the hands of United. Mancini has now stated that he feels that the owner Sheikh Mansour will never sanction the sale of the player because he feels that he is a significant investment. Mancini has also stressed the fact that he does not have any problem with the striker, despite using him sparingly this season.

"Sheikh Mansour likes Balotelli because he recognises the talent and he exports the name of City over the world. We need to realise Mario was signed as a major investment and this is not a club that throws its capital through the window. I think Mario will stay but the future depends mostly on him. The relationship between me and him is always good. I love him because for many years we live together and I've seen him grow," said Mancini. Balotelli has made 13 appearances for the club this season.