City close to Balotelli signing?

Last updated : 27 July 2010 By Ed

Media reports suggest that the 19-year-old striker will join City for an estimated £24million and sign a five-year deal at Eastlands.

'He (Balotelli) is one of the four or five strikers that interest us," City boss Roberto Mancini, who nurtured Balotelli during his time at the San Siro, told Italian newspaper La Stampa.

"I was the first to believe in him and I'm convinced about what he can do.

'Mario has two qualities that suit us, his talent and his age, because I want people able to build a cycle at Manchester City."