Bye bye mario

[Tokyo Blue]

I think he's very close to going. I'd be interested to see if KPB was a pawn in the deal in that Milan offered us Boateng who we'd then punt off to Napoli in exchange for cash for Cavani.

Can we do that?

Yes, as long as he doesn't actually take the field for us in a competitive match. And if he is anything like his brother, I hope he never does.

[Dameerto]

Is it raining in here?

It's raining MUEN, hallelujah.

[Cocacolajojo1]

I think that if Milan/Juve cough up the money, he'll be gone in a flash whether we have a replacement or not (he doesn't play anymore, so we are technically not replacing anything), if not, he will be gone in the summer.

The only way I can see him surviving til next season is if he suddenly turns in spectacular performances, but barring injuries, I don't think he will get many opportunities to do it. I get the impression Bob is doing like he did in the run in last season, & picking his strongest 12/13 wherever possible. Mario isn't in it.

If Bob really wants to keep him though, he will suddenly start playing him, to make a point. I don't think he wants to.

I agree with that. As I've mentioned before, the key is watching Mario's agent Raiola and unlike previous periods of rumours and unrest, I at least don't think he's categorically stated that Balotelli will be staying. Something's up, that's for sure.

"agent Mino Raiola told GR Parlamento radio: "There is no negotiation for Balotelli with any club, no meeting, zero. It seems like a Grimm Brothers fairy tale.

"Manchester City won't sell Mario, let alone loan [him out]. There are zero chances he moves."

Raiola also denied AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani's claims about the price City had put on Balotelli's head, adding: "City never asked for money because they never offered the player for sale."

Are these new quotes or is someone (not you and me mind) lying? Because this is what he said according to Skysports three days ago:

"The truth about Mario? You have to ask to others, because I cannot say it," Raiola told Radio Deejay.

"Until January 31, anything can happen, we are monitoring. We have not talked about money because there is nothing concrete yet.

"But I can rule out the loan, the City directors do not accept this solution. Also because they received a €40million (£34m) offer for Mario during the European Championship."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8441425/Mario-Balotelli-s-agent-has-refused-to-rule-out-a-move-away-from-Manchester-City


The thing is that the quotes from Sky sports could actually be quotes that are mixed together but really are about different things.

[Alex Sapphire]

Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola said: 'Until January 31, anything can happen, we are monitoring.'"

he also said they're not discussing money "perché ancora di fatto non c’è nulla" ...because there's nothing, and that "Il proprietario ha detto no più volte" the owner said NO several times.
And in my experience the word "until" gets mistranslated a lot.

[Mike J]

I think he will stay untill the summer. I dont think Milan will cough up what we want.

Wouldnt mind if they threw in that El Shaarway lad or whatever he's called

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Yes, as long as he doesn't actually take the field for us in a competitive match. And if he is anything like his brother, I hope he never does.

Amen to that.

Jerome Boateng may possibly be my most hated ever city player. In fact possibly my only hated city player.

[Ted Hughes]

Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola said: 'Until January 31, anything can happen, we are monitoring.'"

he also said they're not discussing money "perché ancora di fatto non c’è nulla" ...because there's nothing, and that "Il proprietario ha detto no più volte" the owner said NO several times.
And in my experience the word "until" gets mistranslated a lot.

It was a week or more ago.

He has since changed his stance & no longer says 'no chance' rather says 'anything can happen' etc.

If Mario stays, no doubt he will change it back again but he has not said anything recently to suggest there are no talks, quite the opposite. He is also a liar, as is Bob & now Plunty too, so whatever they say is actually irellevent anyway.

[Swales4ever]

As usual, TIME, no longer than 58 hours if my broken maths serves, will be in charge of clarifying this argument, as well as few previous others and a future one, which I don't name because it has almost costed me the respect of a friend.

Just hope the heat won''t up too much, particularly on such a marginal issue.

[DoomMerchant]

I think he will stay untill the summer. I dont think Milan will cough up what we want.

Wouldnt mind if they threw in that El Shaarway lad or whatever he's called

unlikely they'd let him go but he's the one player on that squad i'd love to see in a City shirt....if Balo went and he came back in the other direction it wouldn't be the worst thing we could do that's for sure. But he's a young rising starlet...Milan won't be parting with him as they've just made space with Pato leaving, etc...

cheers

[Blue2]

I'd be gutted if he left, not because we would miss his input ( because there has been none this season really) , but that he could have been a great player . Trouble is has the brain of a child and has shown no signs of growing up since he signed.

[ant london]

i don't want him to go

I'm sure he is going to come good...big time and don't want it to be for those Milanese cunts

[Beeks]

:-(

[TheReturnOfTheSpecialOne]

I'll still wear my Balotelli jersey with pride
(2010/11, away team kit)
And I hope he finally gets to realise his full potential: it would be a tragedy if he didn't

[gilford]

La Gazzetta dello Sport saying Milan and Man City have reached agreement, only details with Mario Balotelli’s contract left to sort out.
by GRAEME BAILEY 12:25 PM

Source - SkySports Live Transfer Clockwatch

[Tru_Blu]

Damn i'm gutted, was really hoping he would be a legend for us. Sorry Balo that the english press never gave you a chance and let you just play football. Thanks for the pass to Aguero and never missing a penalty.

Agree with the last sentiment but have to take issue with your angle on why he's not progressed more while he's been here. I've no idea why he's not, just that it's got nothing to with newspapers. I, and most city fans, and Mancini certainly, have given him many, many chances to 'just play football' ( I have not read a newspaper in 5 years, and if Mario & Mancini do i'd be amazed.) He simply hasn't performed on the pitch consistently enough, his penalties, his pass to Aguero, and his brace in the 6-1 raping, are not enough to compensate for his laziness, sulky attitude & lack of teamwork ethic.
There's your job, how well you do it, and how it's reported to the world. For any footballer, and almost everyone really, the first two are the only things you are in complete control of. If you do well, you can influence how the world sees it, a bit. But you really shouldn't care about such things, and the cream of the crop (messi, silva, etc.) are rarely playboys or front page whores nowadays.

Well i can understand your thinking, and your right he is a playboy. But I still think he took a lot of abuse just because he was a Manchester City player, add to the fact he was labeled a bad boy coming out of Italy, the press put a target on him. It was like they wanted to use Balo to try and disrupt and taint the City rise. I would put my salary on betting if he went to the SCUM the media would be cradling his balls with their chin.

[Beeks]

He had the greatest song for a player ever...

[Dameerto]

He had the greatest song for a player ever...

What was Balo's? That Boyata chant takes some beating for me, it's worth putting him on the bench just for that.

[TheReturnOfTheSpecialOne]

I would put my salary on betting if he went to the SCUM the media would be cradling his balls with their chin.

Sentence of the Month Award!
Wonderful image: I can just picture it now! lol

[avoidconfusion]

He had the greatest song for a player ever...

True. The Balotelli song was great... ah well there is still the Yaya song.

[Luke11993]

Don't no how reliable but there's news coming out that a deal has been agreed and its completed, I don't no how reliable goal.com is but that's what there saying as off a minute ago? Thoughts?