Manchester City Target Balotelli Replacement

Posted by Cathal Breathnach on January 29, 2013 | 8 Comments

After weeks and months of speculation, it has today been confirmed that Mario Balotelli will leave Manchester City to join Serie A giants AC Milan.

The 22-year old has been strongly linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium following a string of off-field incidents, including a training ground bust-up with City chief Roberto Mancini.

It is believed the Premier League Champions will receive close to £20 million for the Italian frontman, with payments made in yearly installments by Milan.

With Balotelli now out the door, City are left with just three recognised first team strikers in the form of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko.

Benteke in action against Arsenal earlier this season.

Mancini is believed to on the hunt for another striker to add to his ranks before the transfer window shuts in just over 48 hours time and a number of names are being linked with a possible move to Eastlands.

City are reportedly keen on both Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao and Napoli’s Edinson Cavani. However, neither are seen as a realistic option this late in the window, and as such, City will be forced to look elsewhere.

One name which been tentatively linked with a move to the Etihad is that of Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke. The Belgian international has been one of Villa’s only shining lights in what has been a poor season so far for Paul Lambert’s men, and as such has caught the eye of a number of the so called big clubs.

Villa are strapped for cash right now and Lambert has been quoted as saying he hasn’t the money to improve his options this window, leaving the door open for City to make a move for Benteke.

The 22-year old is believed to be content with life at Villa Park. However, should City make their interest concrete, who knows what the player, who has scored an impressive 11 goals this campaign, will do then.

Watch this space folks.

Feel free to leave your comments in the section provided.

Comments

8 Responses to “Manchester City Target Balotelli Replacement”

Eddey
January 29th, 2013 @ 5:45 PM

Good Luck Balotelli
Eddey
January 29th, 2013 @ 5:45 PM

Good Luck Balotelli
Tc
January 29th, 2013 @ 5:52 PM

A player can only play for TWO clubs in a year. Therefore what a nonsense to ‘report’ Benteke could join Citeh before the January deadline. Muppit.
dog
January 29th, 2013 @ 6:15 PM

But benteke has already played for 2 clubs this season and can’t play for a third.
All these links to him moving are lazy journalism at the moment. At the end of the season….. Thats another matter entirely
Alfred
January 29th, 2013 @ 6:19 PM

Benteke has played for two clubs this season and cant play for a third. Poor journalism.
Simmo83
January 29th, 2013 @ 6:19 PM

Benteke has already played for Genk and us (Villa) so couldn’t play for city this season. Try doing a bit of research before trying to unsettle our players!
Cathal Breathnach
January 29th, 2013 @ 6:28 PM

You are all in fact correct that Benteke played a game for Genk this season. However, it was in the Europa League which leaves the potential for a January move to another club.

The Daily Mail also believe he can still move – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2269015/Christian-Benteke-watched-Manchester-City-Tottenham-Arsenal-Liverpool.html
Simmo83
January 29th, 2013 @ 7:50 PM

Europa league is a FIFA recognised “official match” as ours and the Belgian league do not have overlapping seasons he cannot play for another association which has the same start / finish season to ours. Don’t rely on the daily fail to do their research. Not trying to be an arse just highlighting the facts #constructiveCriticism

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Manchester City Target Balotelli Replacement

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