Balotelli wants to stay at City, says agent

Mario Balotelli has no intention of leaving Manchester City, according to his agent Mino Raiola.

The representative’s comments come in the wake of the Italian being omitted from City’s squad for their clash with Tottenham on Sunday, with the Italian unable even to secure a place among the substitutes.

In recent weeks, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez have represented Roberto Mancini’s first-choice striking partnership, while Edin Dzeko has developed a knack for goals from the bench, earning the club a remarkable nine points as a substitute so far this season.

“He doesn’t want to leave,” Raiola told reporters. “There’s no player who is ever happy with not playing in a game, but he accepts it. It’s all part of the game.”

Balotelli has long been the subject of a rumoured move away from Manchester, and his club reportedly rejected approaches from PSG and former club Inter for the striker in the summer.

The 22-year-old, however, is focused on regaining his place in the first team at his current club as opposed to seeking a starting berth elsewhere, according to his agent.

“There is no [transfer to] Italy and no plans to go there,” Raiola added. “He’ll work until the end of his contract. [Sunday’s omission] doesn’t mean he wants to leave Manchester.”