Mario Balotelli will stay at Manchester City, says agent

Manchester City have no intention of selling striker Mario Balotelli this summer, according to the player's agent.

The Italy international has been strongly linked with a return to Serie A this summer after a controversial season in England.

"I'm in Manchester but it has nothing to do with the transfer market," Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola said to Sky Italia.

"There is no intention by Manchester City to sell the player.

"He (Balotelli) has always stated that he is happy in Manchester and finding his balance.

"Of course, that balance is lost when things don't go well."

City boss Roberto Mancini revealed last weekend that he would consider selling the 21-year-old after he was sent off in the 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat to Arsenal.

Balotelli, who joined City from Inter Milan last summer, later apologised for his behaviour and claimed he would only consider his future at the end of the season.

"I have spoken to Mario and to Mancini," Raiola said. "There was a tense time between them but now all is calm.

"Mario has understood his mistakes in every sense, at times he makes mistakes without doing it on purpose.

"Much is expected from Mario and his sending off against Arsenal was negative due to his bad performance."

Reports in Italy have claimed Inter and AC Milan would battle it out to acquire Balotelli's services this summer.

However, Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti brushed aside those reports.

"We have followed what has happened with Balotelli," Moratti said to Sky Italia. "From a technical standpoint he is very good but we haven't made a move.

"Honestly, he is not in our plans."

Raiola does not rule out that Balotelli will return to Italy in the future but insists the player will remain at City next season.

"Of course, he misses Italy and it's only normal as his family and his friends are there," he said.

"Manchester City has no intention of selling him, on the contrary, they want to grow together.

"I think that once Mario decides to return to Italy, there will be a big derby for his services.

"But right now is not the time, perhaps in one or two years' time.

"Mario has to grow and he will do so in Manchester."

Balotelli is under contract with City until June, 2015.

PA