Man City get Balotelli

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Manchester City signed Italy forward Mario Balotelli from Inter Milan on a five-year contract yesterday, moving a step closer to completing their summer transfer spending.

Balotelli completed the transfer three days after making his international debut to become City's fifth high-profile signing since they narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification by finishing fifth in the Premier League.

City did not announce the transfer fee but it was widely reported to be about £24 million.

City coach Roberto Mancini, who worked with Balotelli at Inter, said yesterday that the club is also on the verge of making England midfielder James Milner their final signing of the summer transfer window.

That would push City's spending close to £150 million (US$234 million) since the end of last season, with David Silva, Jerome Boateng, Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov also arriving.

Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported that Balotelli's contract is worth €3.5 million (US$4.4 million) annually plus bonuses.

Balotelli missed out on selection for Italy's World Cup squad but made his debut under new coach Cesare Prandelli in Tuesday's 1-0 friendly loss to Ivory Coast in London.

He joined too late to be considered for City's Premier League season opener against Tottenham today.

Milner should be with the club soon, once City can negotiate the details of his transfer from Aston Villa.

"We need another two or three days for this situation," Mancini said. "We need everyone to be happy."

Villa rejected an initial offer from City but British papers say City increased their bid and will send Stephen Ireland to Villa in part exchange if the Irish midfielder can be persuaded to leave.

Mancini is already making room for his new acquisitions in accordance with new Premier League rules that clubs must pick a 25-man squad for the season.

The coach said Wales striker Craig Bellamy, who has been linked with moves to Celtic, Fulham and Tottenham, will not be included.

"I have to choose 25," Mancini said. "The rest must find another team. Craig is out of the list."

Balotelli

Balotelli missed out on selection for Italy's World Cup squad but made his debut under new coach Cesare Prandelli in Tuesday's 1-0 friendly loss to Ivory Coast in London.