Manchester City signal Balotelli interest

City wish to sign Balotelli (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed he will bid for Mario Balotelli should Inter Milan opt to sell the highly-rated striker.

Balotelli is under contract with the Italian champions for three more seasons but failed to pin down a regular starting berth under former Inter boss Jose Mourinho last season.

The 19-year-old is believed to be a target for the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, but City boss Mancini, with the backing of billionaire owners behind him, is preparing himself to wade into any bidding war.

"We are always interested in good players," Mancini told Italian newspaper Il Giornale.

"If Inter decide to sell [Balotelli], we will be there."

Balotelli was dropped from Inter's team for several games earlier this year by Mourinho who criticised the player's attitude, but Mancini is concerned only with the player's abilities on the pitch.

"I have no problems," said Mancini.

"The most important thing is that they are good, so that they go on the pitch and play well."

Mancini also confirmed he is tracking Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who was the top scorer in the Bundesliga last season and has long been linked with a move to one of Europe's elite clubs.

"Certainly Dzeko is more than just an interest," Mancini revealed.