Mario Balotelli has dismissed reports he wants to quit Manchester City.
The Italian international has been linked with a move away from the Etihad, with AC Milan reportedly keen to take him back to Serie A.
But the striker told Italian radio station Radio Radio: "The newspapers are saying that I want to get away from Manchester, but I've never spoken to them [the papers].
"They can say what they want, but I'm in Manchester, I am under contract with City and until the right time, will not talk about a new contract."
The 21-year-old striker is tied to City until June 2015 and has no intention of leaving the club in the near future.
"The Premier League has been a new experience, even if at first it was difficult," he said. "But if I have to tell the whole truth now, it's that I'm really happy here."
Arsenal face a battle for Saints' £4m teen
Arsenal face intense competition to sign the Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, with Chelsea and Manchester City both now in the race for the 16-year-old who is rated as one of the best prospects in English football.
The Championship club value the player at around £4m even though he is yet to make his first-team debut. It is anticipated that Shaw, an unused substitute for Nigel Adkins' side in the weekend's 2-1 win over Coventry City in the FA Cup third round, will be watched by all the Premier League's leading clubs when he plays for Southampton under-18s in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium tonight.
Arsenal have so far been confident of signing the player, having also secured Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from the club in the last six years, but Shaw will not lack for suitors. He is a regular in the England under-17s team and his potential has been stressed by the Football Association's director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking.
Originally from Kingston, Surrey, Shaw is understood to have agreed a professional deal with Southampton to begin when he turns 17 in July, the earliest point he can sign such terms. The new Elite Player Performance Plan system, which begins from the start of next season, is unlikely to affect Southampton in this case, such is the scale of the interest in him.
Even under the new system, the buying and selling clubs can agree to put aside the pre-established sliding scale for calculating compensation and come to a "mutually agreed fee".
Shaw represents another triumph for the Southampton academy who have a formidable record in recent years, producing Gareth Bale, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain among others. The current under-18s team, coached by former Southampton player Jason Dodd, beat Sheffield United 7-0 to reach the fourth round. Their winger Calum Chambers is also highly rated.
Whether Shaw leaves this month or next summer will depend on whether the clubs chasing him can agree a fee with Southampton. An asking price of £4m is extremely high for a teenager who has not even played senior football but the market value for the best young players, and in particular, the best young English players, is rising all the time.
Shaw is part of the England under-17s squad that will play a round-robin with Georgia, Ukraine and Spain in Georgia in March. The winning team will play in the European Under-17 Championship in Slovenia in May.
Both Manchester City and Liverpool have been active buyers of teenagers recently, with smaller clubs now more willing to cash in their academy products lest the coming EPPP rules rein in the scale of fees. In most cases it is a question of out-bidding rival clubs by offering ever-more lucrative professional deals to boys.
Inter Milan 'serious' about Carlos Tevez
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti today confirmed the club are keen to sign Carlos Tevez.
Moratti has joined AC Milan in the race to sign the striker in the current transfer window.
Tevez favours a move to AC Milan after returning to Argentina in November without City's permission.
Moratti said: "If you do something you don't do it as a joke but because you think it can be a good operation.
"We've acquired information on how things are going, there's room to act, we'll see if we can do it or not. There are still three weeks left.
"It's not about being optimistic but rather seeing how things are."
City boss Roberto Mancini said today: "I hope there will be a good result
Man City striker Mario Balotelli says Mancini is a better manager than Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho. Daily Express
Leslie has already contacted his former club Manchester City about signing defenders Nedum Onuoha and Wayne Bridge, and Blackburn to make an £8m offer for Christopher Samba. Hughes has a budget of £30m to spend in January. Daily Express
Manchester City fear lengthy David Silva absence after missing training session ahead of Liverpool showdown but Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko passed fit
The club are worried that the Spaniard could be out of action for a few weeks with the ankle injury that forced him off at half-time in the 3-2 loss to Manchester United
David Silva missed training with a badly damaged ankle on Tuesday and is a big doubt for Manchester City's League Cup semi-final first-leg showdown against Liverpool, Goal.com has learned.
But it is understood that strikers Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko have both been passed fit for the clash at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
The pair were doubtful with ankle and knee injuries respectively but sources have told Goal.com that they will be available for the mouthwatering encounter against Kenny Dalglish's team.
Manager Roberto Mancini is considering another run-out for Owen Hargreaves while rookie Abdul Razak is set to be named among the substitutes.
Silva, who has been in outstanding form for City this season, was withdrawn at half-time during their 3-2 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
Scans showed that the playmaker suffered heavy bruising around his ankle and he is regarded as a major doubt for the Liverpool match after sitting out the team's training session on Tuesday, a day before the game.
City do not yet know the full extent of the damage but the fear is that his absence could be a lengthy one and he will be on the sidelines for a few weeks.
The return of Balotelli, who has been out since the Boxing Day draw at West Brom, and Dzeko, who did not figure against United, is a relief to Mancini as his squad faces an intense schedule over the coming weeks, including the two-legged tie against Liverpool.
Mancini has been impressed with Hargreaves in training and is considering starting with the midfielder, even though Gareth Barry is available again after serving a one-match suspension.
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Roberto Mancini criticises Liverpool's handling of Luis Suárez case• Striker should have apologised immediately, says Mancini
Roberto Mancini has become the first opposition manager to question Liverpool's handling of the Luis Suárez affair and express concerns about the length of time it took for someone found guilty of racial insults to issue an apology. The Manchester City manager was speaking ahead of the first leg of their Carling Cup tie against a Liverpool side missing Suárez for an eight-match suspension for calling Patrice Evra "negro" during a heated row when Manchester United played at Anfield in October.
Mancini was asked whether Liverpool's manager, Kenny Dalglish, and players had made a mistake by wearing their now infamous T-shirts in support of Suárez, just after the Football Association's independent commission had announced its verdict. He was nodding in agreement as he replied "maybe" and he then voiced his belief that Suárez should have issued an immediate apology.
"Sometimes a situation like this can happen on the pitch but it is important to apologise for what you did. Sometimes, on the pitch, you can do something you don't want to, because you are nervous, because you don't think. Everything can happen because you don't think, because you are tired, because you are stupid, you are young; for many reasons.
"I don't think Suárez is a racist. But I think he made a mistake, probably, yes. Everyone can make a mistake sometimes. It is impossible that we are always perfect and, after that, it is important to say: 'I am sorry, I made a mistake, I apologise for this' and accept the charge."
The City manager went on to draw a parallel with his own playing career in Italy, where football has had a long battle against racism. "I have heard everything said against me and I have said some things – but not important things like racist words."
Mancini was speaking on the day it emerged a representative from Liverpool could be summoned when the culture, media and sport select committee holds a specially convened inquiry into racism in football. An evidence session has been scheduled for 6 March and the committee member Damian Collins said: "I think the events of the last two weeks have reignited concerns about racism in the game. Although this session will not necessarily be restricted to football it will be the principal area of inquiry following the Suárez case and the concerns that have arisen from that."
Steve Rotheram, the Liverpool Walton MP, has been pushing for the inquiry at a time when the Anfield club have also had to issue an apology to the Oldham Athletic defender Tom Adeyemi after he complained of being racially abused during Friday's FA Cup tie on Merseyside.
Whereas the reluctance to accept Suárez's culpability and apologise to Evra has led to widespread condemnation throughout the game, Oldham have released a statement to make it clear they are happy with Liverpool's "painstaking efforts in investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident."
A 20-year-old man is on police bail pending further inquiries and the League One club also praised Merseyside police, adding: "Excellent communication has been maintained and the club and player have been notified of every detail during the progress of the investigation."
The issue of racism in football has also been in the spotlight because of the England captain John Terry's court appearance on 1 February for allegedly insulting Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's match at Queens Park Rangers in October.
Rotheram said: "I believe, given the nature of recent events, that it would be appropriate for this issue to be looked at by parliamentarians from all parties and from different football, sporting and non-sporting allegiances. Sport should be rightly proud that in many ways it has led the field in tackling social issues such as racism, homophobia and sectarianism and it will be interesting to see what conclusions the select committee draw."
Newcastle are prepared to buy back Andy Carroll from Liverpool - but will not pay more than £10m for the striker they sold to the Anfield club for £35m a year ago. the Sun
Alternatively, the Magpies would be willing to pay about £15m for Carroll, but the Tyneside club believes Liverpool's valuation could be closer to £25m. the Times
Meanwhile, Newcastle have put a £15m price tag on goalkeeper Tim Krul. the Sun
New QPR manager Mark Hughes has made Chelsea striker Didier Drogba his number one transfer target. Daily Star
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp wants his chairman Daniel Levy to stump up £7m for Bolton defender Gary Cahill, whose proposed move to Chelsea has stalled over his wage demands and his preference to move to a club where he is assured of being a first choice. the Times
Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants to leave the club on loan during the transfer window to boost his chances of getting on the plane for Euro 2012. Daily Star
Everton are believed to be looking at Egyptian striker Mohamed Nagy, who plays for Al Ahly in Cairo. Liverpool Echo
Sochaux striker Modiba Maiga, whose proposed move to Newcastle fell through last month when he failed a medical, is now hoping to join Stoke. Daily Mirror
Liverpool are understood to be interested in Inter Milan striker Luc Castaignos - a transfer target for Merseyside rivals Everton - on a loan deal. Daily Mail
Out-of-favour Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong has reiterated he could leave the club after growing increasingly frustrated by his lack of playing time. Sky Sports
Newcastle say they have not received any bids for striker Demba Ba. Newcastle Chronicle
Qatar outfit Al-Sadd have pulled out of a deal for QPR striker Adel Taarabt, after baulking at his £15m price tag. Metro
Stoke's proposed £1.5m signing of VVV Venlo striker Michael Uchebo is in danger of collapse over work permit issues. Daily Mail
Manchester United are believed to be targeting Celtic's 22-year-old midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung in a bid to ease their midfield crisis. Footybunker
Fulham have joined the clubs watching Jamie Vardy, non-League Fleetwood's £1m-rated striker. Daily Mirror
Suarez says he wants to fire Liverpool to a trophy and a top-four finish when he returns from his eight-match suspension. Goal.com
Aston Villa midfielder Ciaran Clark insists he has never contemplated going out on loan to boost his hopes of playing for the Republic of Ireland at the Euro 2012 Championship. Birmingham Mail
Blackburn manager Steve Kean's agent has questioned the motives behind the protests at Rovers and has suggested the fans involved are not "true supporters". Lancashire Telegraph
Former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona will not be in the running to become the president of France. London Evening Standard
Paul Ince is set for a return to management this week - with League Two side Bristol Rovers. Daily Mirror
Sir Richard Branson has ruled out bidding to rename Newcastle's ground St James' Park after his takeover of Northern Rock. Newcastle Chronicle
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has achieved a personal goal - snaps of himself with two football legends. the Sun
David Beckham's son Romeo may have broken his daddy's heart after seemingly deciding to support Manchester United's Premier League rivals Arsenal. Metro
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp already has a plan to stop Thierry Henry - by re-signing Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles. the Sun
