City transfer talk: 21 July – Negotiations with Balotelli’s agent

Chris Wheeler at the Mail claims that City have agreed a £23m fee plus performance related bonuses for Mario Balotelli. This would be a better price than many we have seen reported elsewhere.

Unfortunately City now have to deal with Mino Raiola, the agent for Balotelli (and Ibrahimovic), who is not considered the easiest to negotiate with. Football Italia claims he hopes to “flush out other interested parties” such as Chelsea or United. In other words he’s looking to maximise the money City have to pay. According to Football Italia this is a five year contract worth 4.5 million euros per season. Hopefully a contract will be agreed and the transfer can go ahead.

All is currently quiet with Aleksandar Kolarov. Italian media reported he was having a medical. The next we hear will hopefully be an announcement of his signing on the official site.

Elsewhere, City are still believed to be intereseted in Maicon, but whether it comes off is questionable.

Christian Larrson:

City still pushing for Maicon, but player would like to go to Madrid not Manchester,but Madrid not playing ball.

Mourinho may well want Maicon, but do Real need him when they already have Sergio Ramos?

If the deal for James Milner stalls, then the Mirror claim we will turn to Benfica’s Ramires. The 23 year old Brazilian looked ok during the World Cup, but doesn’t have the crossing ability of Milner. This is a ‘Mirror Exclusive’ which could mean no-one else believes it. More likely is a deal with Milner will be concluded once he returns from holiday.

Steve McLaren has reportedly failed in a bid to take Craig Bellamy on a one year loan to Wolfsburg. It’s hard to see any deal with Wolfsburg not being related to Edin Dzeko. Also, Bellers has previously stated he doesn’t see himself playing outside the UK at his age.