City transfer talk: 19 July – Deadline for Kolarov while negotiations continue for Balotelli

Football Italia report that Mario Balotelli will not jeopardise his relationship with Inter by asking for a move. Not that he’s had any qualms about upsetting them in the past. Throwing his shirt to the floor at the end of a Champions League game was hardly a crowd pleaser.

Il Corriere dello Sport say the 19-year-old will train today, but wouldn’t be against a move. They’re under the impression that negotiations are set to continue with City willing to up their initial offer.

Reports that City have offered Robinho to Inter are intriguing, as he could be a makeweight in a deal for Maicon rather than Balotelli. If Robinho didn’t like the discipline of playing in a Mark Hughes team, then it’s hard to imagine him being happy with Rafa Benitez. Likewise it’s hard to imagine Rafa enthusing over Robi’s free-spirited approach to the game.

If the arrival of Balotelli were to signal the departure of Robinho, then there’s the valid question of whether we would simply be swapping one talented malcontent for another. The difference being that Mancini feels he can work with his countryman and get the best out of him.

Aleksandar Kolarov remains the player likeliest to be our next signing, with talk of City having given Lazio a deadline for an 18m euro offer.

The Lazio manager Edy Reja has even come out and said he wants the situation resolved soon. It looks like everyone’s waiting on the Lazio president.

According to The Mirror, Roberto Mancini is set to add another Italian to his backroom staff in the form of Christian Lattanzio. Currently working for West Ham, he’s set to join our scouting department.