Manchester City: 3 Reasons Mario Balotelli Won't Transfer Back to Italy

News reports circulating Thursday, documented on ESPN Soccernet, caught enigmatic Italian striker Mario Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola with foot-in-mouth syndrome.

Raiola affixed a £60 million price tag upon his 21-year-old star client before proceeding to inform top Italian clubs to "forget" about a potential move for the Ghanaian-born attacker because he is "too big for Serie A."

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Not yet finished with his potty humor, Raiola slammed reports that AC Milan or Inter Milan might swoop for the embattled youngster in the just-begun January transfer window, pointing out that if the two clubs couldn't pony up £25 million for another City striker (Carlos Tevez), how could they ever aspire to securing Balotelli's services?

Because, as Raiola put it in defending his asking price, Balotelli is "No. 1."

Leaving all double entendres and crude humor aside (well, just this once I'll indulge myself), here are three other reasons why it would behoove Balotelli not to backtrack to Italy anytime soon.

England Love Mario's Hijinks Too Much

While he must be positively fed up with his incessant placement in English newspaper headlines, when it comes down to it, I believe that Balotelli secretly enjoys the limelight in Britain—even if it stems from a none-too-glorious source.

The English love a good story, which is one reason they flocked to Jose Mourinho during his time as manager of Chelsea. There were few, if any, better than the Portuguese tactician at providing front-page headlines (remember his priceless line, "I am fantastic"?)

In a fun six degrees, Mourinho managed (or mis-managed—whichever you prefer) Balotelli for two seasons at Inter (2008-10). And just like in Star Wars, the pupil has supplanted the master. Only this time, the action takes place in Europe as opposed to a galaxy far, far away.

Balotelli is the press's dream. Whether it be fish, fireworks or his promise not to smile until he wins a World Cup or Champions League medal, he finds a way into your morning headline.

I doubt he'll give that up anytime soon.

Mancini Has Made Balotelli His Personal Reclamantion Project

Whether it be exhorting his young charge to smile a bit more while playing, or showing tough love for inexplicable attempts such as the one shown in the video, Mancini looks set to help Mario Balotelli become a better player and person. Sometimes one gets the feeling that the Italian will do so whether the 21-year-old likes it or not.

It takes a firm hand to lead sometimes, and Mancini is, by all accounts, an unyielding taskmaster. It's a my-way-or-the-highway approach; the sort of abrasive tactic that can backfire superbly with professional footballers.

But one feels that if Balotelli is ever truly to realize his full potential, it will have to be with the Italian manager. Say what you will about Mancini, but his decision to remove Balotelli from that friendly surely sent a message to the striker.

His Game Is Tailor-Made for the English Premier League

There's no point trying to compare him to Cantona—any attempt would simply be words lost. The Frenchman was, and forever will be, in a class all his own.

But there are traces to be found between Balotelli and Cantona's games and demeanor.

Both are broodingly brilliant technical wizards. And despite his numerous personal hijinks, there's no denying that Balotelli possesses Middle-Eastern-oil-rich reserves of skill.

I think back to his side-footed finish to open the scoring against Manchester United back in that 6-1 drubbing last October. The goal was lost amid the uproarious celebration (Why Always Me?), but it was a finish that few could hope to recreate. That match commentator believed as much, anyhow.

Balotelli's power, pace and penchant for the rarely-seen feat make him the sort of lightning rod that can truly thrive in the English Premier League.

He may choose to ply his trade elsewhere down the road, but wouldn't it be interesting (and maddeningly poetic) if he remained a Citizen for the rest of his career?