Mario Balotelli agent: deal with Manchester City still a long way off

30 July 2010 11:09
The Inter Milan forward has long been linked with a move to Manchester City and all parties were hopeful of completing a deal early this week. [LNB]However, Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola has now flown back to Italy from Manchester and admitted that while they remain hopeful a deal will be done, it will not be completed as early as they had anticipated.[LNB] Related ArticlesRobinho desperate to stay at SantosHughes wants Bellamy reunionMancini: Balotelli can be a starT?z: Torres should join CityDeals waiting to happen?Villa await improved City offer for Milner"As long as there's hope there's life," Raiola said. "He's calm but anxious to come to an agreement, that's normal for a lad of 19. We're working and we're hoping." [LNB]Reports indicate that the sticking point is the 19-year-old's wage demands. [LNB]Mancini is keen to be reunited with Balotelli, who he snapped up as Inter coach in 2006, but has insisted they will not pay inflated salaries to anybody. [LNB]Inter have repeatedly said they will not sell the Italy Under-21 international for less than £29 million. [LNB]Meanwhile, Inter Milan will visit last season's runners-up AS Roma and host traditional rivals Juventus in their fifth and sixth Serie A matches next season the draw was made on Wednesday. [LNB]The European champions, who also won the domestic cup last season to seal an unprecedented Italian treble, open their campaign at perennial strugglers Bologna but the game may be shifted from the Aug. 29 date given they face Atletico Madrid in the European Super Cup on Aug. 27 [LNB][LNB]

Source: Telegraph