Mario Balotelli insists his future lies with Manchester City

Mario Balotelli has emphasised his desire to stay at Manchester City despite persistent speculation linking the Italy international with a return to Serie A.

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.

“Come back now [to Serie A]? I go back to Manchester,” said Balotelli.

“The City fans always want me, even though they are British – and I have helped eliminate their national team.”

Balotelli netted a spectacular brace in Italy’s 2-1 semi-final victory over Germany on Thursday, booking the Azzurri’s place in the Euro 2012 showpiece where they will face holders Spain.

And the controversial striker admitted he is keen to cap an impressive season – he scored 13 league goals as City ended their 44-year wait for the top flight crown – by helping Italy win their first European championship since 1968.

“It’s been a special year for me,” said Balotelli. “We won the Premier League at Manchester City last season – so having a good season doesn’t depend on me winning the Euros.

“Yes, it would be something special for me but if we don’t win it, it wouldn’t spoil the other things.”

“I am really happy and, on Sunday, I hope I will be even more happy. We are in the final. We are one of the two best teams in the tournament, so we have to go there and play to win.”

He added: “Yes, to be top scorer on my own I have to score another goal. I will try but in football you try many times and the ball does not enter the goal.”

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