Man City’s Mario Balotelli won’t be returning to Serie A this summer

Mario Balotelli will be staying at Manchester City despite rumours linking the controversial striker with a move back to Serie A, according to the Italy international’s agent.

The 21-year-old has scored 27 goals in 60 appearances for City since moving to the Eastlands outfit in a €22m (£17.5m) deal from Internazionale in 2010.

Balotelli’s disciplinary record has left doubts over his Premier League future – the striker was sent off twice last season – with City manager Roberto Mancini saying his compatriot would never play for the club again following a red card at The Emirates.

However, Balotelli did appear in City’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the Premier League season, helping tee up Sergio Aguero’s winner in the fourth minute of added time.

“Maybe I have not been clear – Balotelli can’t come back to Italy,” the striker’s agent Mino Raiola told SportMediaset.

“Italian football’s economic situation means that at the moment top players can’t come to Italy. In football, nothing is impossible, but Mario hasn’t spoken to me.

“He has no intention to come back. City and the coach are relying on him.”

Balotelli scored 28 goals in 86 appearances for Inter, winning the Serie A title three times, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League in 2010.

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Read more on: Football transfers, internazionale, Manchester City, Mario Balotelli, Premier League, Roberto Mancini.