Manchester United and Manchester City press for Mario Balotelli, Inter ready to consider
Despite speculation that the Nerazzurri President, Massimo Moratti, is not going to sell what might be the new footballing sensation in the world but the latest comments made by him have brought out a very different picture.
The head of Inter Milan Moratti has claimed that he is now considering offers that can be put on the price tag of their coveted striker Mario Balotelli. He informed that though in the beginning he was not enthusiastic about sending Balotelli from San Siro but the insistence from Old Trafford and opening up the possibilities for other players has changed all that.
Manchester United’s Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told that the 19 year old Italian striker has the capability of becoming the next Cristiano Ronaldo. He admitted that if Balotelli’s potential is fully utilized he believed that one day he can turn out to be one of the best players on the globe.
Moratti has relayed that he no doubt values the prospects the young star presents, which also became the reason why he was so reluctant in selling the star to another club. However, in the recent times the club can actually afford to sell the player and bring in a better player as he reckoned that though it will be difficult to replace a player like him but there are so many other players in the world.
Previously Moratti, the Italian tycoon who has become a millionaire through his lustrous oil business has been ridiculed with having a poor insight in football. He however has succeeded in curbing the Inter Milan curse of not having won the League since 1989. Moratti has spent millions in bringing top notch players from around the world to his club along with the best coaches and the result of that could be seen in the last season.
In the last season Inter Milan recorded a record treble victory when they won the Serie A, Copa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League. They have also won the UEFA Cup in 1998 and have been winning the league title since 2006. The Copa Italia title has also been captured by them in 2005 and 2006 along with the Super Copa Italiana in 2005, 06 and 08.
The way they finished their season last year with Jose Mourinho leading them, was admirable. They outclassed other major clubs in the world and precisely what was necessary to win. The form of players like Diego Milito, Wesley Sneijder and Maicon were also key components for the victory.
Now that Mourinho has left the Nerazzurri for Real Madrid, seeking a new challenge his replacement Rafael Benitez is also interested in acquiring some new players. His former defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano from Liverpool is an option on the cards.
Mourinho on hearing the news that his rival Ferguson wants to have his former striker put a bid for the striker too. However there is very little chance that the striker will end up at Bernabeu; during Mourinho’s term in San Siro the two stars were seen arguing and fighting with each other and it is no big secret that the two have huge egos.
Manchester City is another club that has shown a lot of interest in the player and the Red Devils will definitely do their best to stop them from having the prodigy. The reason is simple; City has improved a lot in the last year. Ferguson himself has stated that City has become from the noisy neighbours they were to a pestering headache.
The Sporting Director of Inter Milan, Marco Branca, deems Balotelli as a priceless gem but he too has stated that the club are now looking for a fair price of the ace. While talking to media he stated, “Mario has started training again with professionalism. He is a player of great talent. He has offers from other clubs and we are evaluating them”.
On the question, if an unjust offer was made for Balotelli what would be his reaction, he answered, “City and United are serious clubs who will be evaluating their transfer strategy”. Then he added, “For the moment, we are far from this solution”.
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