Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal set to make £18m Balotelli bid but Italians demand Fabregas in return
Arsenal are said to be lining up an £18million move for Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli - only for the Italians to demand Cesc Fabregas in return.[LNB]Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to splash out in January to add firepower to a side that have failed to score in back-to-back defeats without the injured Robin van Persie.[LNB]Italy Under 21 international Balotelli is highly rated, but has a difficult relationship with boss Jose Mourinho and was recently criticised by the self-styled 'Special One' in a scathing public assessment of his performances.[LNB] Balotelli: Inter's young striker shows his skills against Bologna two weeks ago[LNB] The 19-year-old has started just five of 14 matches and after a poor show against Roma, Mourinho said: 'Balotelli? In my opinion he came close to a zero rating. I didn't like how he played. He is 19 but could have done much better.'[LNB]Despite the interest, Inter president Massimo Moratti insists Balotelli is not for sale.[LNB]'Balotelli is not and will not be on the market. This is definitive,' said Moratti, who played down a feud between the player and Mourinho.[LNB]Mourinho left Balotelli out of his squadcompletely at the weekend, but Moratti said: 'It isalways something to be sorted between the player and the coach. This isalso due to his age. [LNB]'There is nothing serious behind all this. In short, it needs acertain continuity to learn to live together with the coach and withcertain rules. I do not think anything dramatic will happen.'[LNB] Star man: Arsenal striker Cesc Fabregas[LNB]The powerful 6ft 2in centre forward is thought to be keen on movingto the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal would more than double his£25,000 a week deal, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.[LNB]However, Mourinho is keen to use the interest to try to engineer a swap deal for Gunners skipper Fabregas.[LNB]Wenger would not contemplate swapping his Spain star, so has alternatives lined up. Sampdoria'sGiampaolo Pazzini, who is also admired by Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti,is in their sights.[LNB]Reports in Italy say Arsenal areprepared to pay about £16m for the 25-year-old Italy striker, thoughSamp value him at closer to £23m.[LNB]Another option is Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh, the Morocco striker targetted by Wenger in the summer.[LNB] Arsenal target: Inter Milan star Mario Balotelli[LNB]However, there was such a fall-out between Wenger and Bordeauxpresident Jean-Louis Triaud over the tug of war that the French clubhave indicated they would rather lose him for nothing at the end of theseason than do a deal in January.[LNB]'As far as we are concerned, it is out of the question,' said Triaud. 'Marouane is a decisive player, and we have important challenges ahead in the league and the Champions League.[LNB]'If we fail to achieve our goals, we will lose money. Anyway, we will not do anything without (head coach) Laurent Blanc's approval.'[LNB]Chamakh, 25, is out of contract at the end of the season.[LNB] Chelsea villain Ashley admits he loves silencing the Arsenal boo boysArsenal, Man City and Chelsea eye up £10m bid for Barcelona outcast ToureARSENAL FC
