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. Balotelli is under contract with Inter for another three seasons.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."The interest of Manchester for Balotelli is concrete and both clubs have confirmed it," Raiola told calciomercato.it."The player is clearly happy to be followed by (Manchester United coach Sir Alex) Ferguson."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."In any case we will we will take every step with calmness and evaluate each time the situation."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.The club have placed a 35million euro price tag on him and Inter president Massimo Moratti claims they are unlikely to accept anything less."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."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."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."Balotelli is among the 20 players currently present at the opening of Inter's pre-season training in Appiano Gentile today.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.He said: "I want to speak to him and get to know him better as a person."All the quality players are important to me."But I need to see him, get to know him and see how he works."Meanwhile, Benitez believes he can carry his new club's winning mentality forward.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."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."We have the same mentality of last season and we want to work together and win from the first day."This is a new project with a new coach, with a club that wants to achieve the same things as last season."Everyone has their own ideas but we don't want to change things with respect to last season."The Spanish tactician believes there are similarities between his former team and Inter."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."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."The players have this mentality and I want to maintain it."The important thing is the mentality of the team and that everyone knows what to do."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.

Source: Team_Talk