Source: Team_Talk
Prem pair still in Balotelli hunt - Agent
Mario Balotelli's agent says Manchester United are very much in the race to sign the Inter Milan striker, with City's interest also confirmed.[LNB] Balotelli is under contract with Inter for another three seasons.[LNB]A host of other clubs are reportedly after the 19-year-old but Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola claims United are one of the front-runners, and has not ruled out City either.[LNB]"The interest of Manchester for Balotelli is concrete and both clubs have confirmed it," Raiola told calciomercato.it.[LNB]"The player is clearly happy to be followed by (Manchester United coach Sir Alex) Ferguson.[LNB]"But I cannot exclude that in the end the player will remain at Inter or play in a different club with respect to the English outfit.[LNB]"In any case we will we will take every step with calmness and evaluate each time the situation."[LNB]Balotelli scored nine goals in 26 league appearances for Inter last season but was not a starter in Jose Mourinho's treble-winning side and grew frustrated at his lack of playing time.[LNB]The club have placed a 35million euro price tag on him and Inter president Massimo Moratti claims they are unlikely to accept anything less.[LNB]"We don't have the need to sell the players on the cheap," said Moratti. "Whoever sits with us to negotiate, will never negotiate at a low price.[LNB]"If they want our players, offers have to arrive and then we will see. But for the time being no players have asked me to be transferred.[LNB]"Mario wants more playing time and it's clear for a player of his age and his talent. He is trying to find out what role he can have in the team, although in a great club like Inter no player has a place guaranteed."[LNB]Balotelli is among the 20 players currently present at the opening of Inter's pre-season training in Appiano Gentile today.[LNB]Earlier, new Inter coach Rafael Benitez said he did not wish for any player to leave the club before he has had a chance to work with them in training.[LNB]He said: "I want to speak to him and get to know him better as a person.[LNB]"All the quality players are important to me.[LNB]"But I need to see him, get to know him and see how he works."[LNB]Meanwhile, Benitez believes he can carry his new club's winning mentality forward.[LNB]The former Liverpool manager replaced Mourinho, who left Inter last month to join Real Madrid following their superlative 2009-10 campaign, and he is confident of carrying on the Nerazzurri's success.[LNB]"We are here to do the thing that everyone wants to do, which is to triumph with a winning club like this one," said Benitez.[LNB]"We have the same mentality of last season and we want to work together and win from the first day.[LNB]"This is a new project with a new coach, with a club that wants to achieve the same things as last season.[LNB]"Everyone has their own ideas but we don't want to change things with respect to last season."[LNB]The Spanish tactician believes there are similarities between his former team and Inter.[LNB]"This team, the club and the fans have a strong mentality just like Liverpool has," said Benitez. "We also fought against everyone and everyone wants to beat us.[LNB]"I have spoken to the club president (Massimo Moratti) and he wants to win. He doesn't want to wait, he wants to win and learn.[LNB]"The players have this mentality and I want to maintain it.[LNB]"The important thing is the mentality of the team and that everyone knows what to do."[LNB]Before defending the Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia titles, Benitez's side have the chance to win three trophies - the European Supercup, the Italian Supercup and the Club World Cup.
