Mario Balotelli's Agent Says His Client Will Not Leave Manchester City

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says he will "probably" sell Mario Balotelli this summer. However, the player's agent says he doesn't think that will happen.

Speaking to Sky Italia (h/t Goal.com), Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola said:

"

Mancini says Balotelli will be sold this summer? I don't think so. I will talk to the club and Mancini...

I don't want to discuss the chance that Balotelli can leave the Premier League. If Mario wanted to leave he didn't need to do it like this, but simply to ask the club.

"

Balotelli is being widely scapegoated following City's 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday. The striker went unpunished for a studs-up clash with Alex Song early in the match, but still picked up a pair of yellow cards and was dismissed as City tried to respond to Mikel Arteta's late winner.

After the match, Mancini indicated that Balotelli has played his last match this season when he said, "I am finished. We have six games and he will not play in the next six games."

Reporters followed up by asking whether the manager would look to sell Balotelli in the summer. Mancini's answer started a media storm:

"

Probably - but I don't know. It depends, because Balotelli is a fantastic player.

I defend him always because Mario is a good guy, but if he doesn't change in the future he can lose all his talent.

If he doesn't understand this, after two years I can't do anything. I hope for him that he can improve, that he can understand that he can't continue like this, for his future, for his talent. I'm very sorry for him for this.

"

Balotelli's agent answered the criticism that his client's performance on Sunday attracted by blaming the British media.

"

In England, only tabloids write about Balotelli and I use them to clean my car .

People expect always a lot from Mario so everything he does is amplified. Mario wants to do well for Mancini, who is a big friend of Balotelli.

"

If he doesn't play again for City this term, Balotelli will end the season having scored 17 goals in 31 total appearances (11 as a substitute) across all competitions.