Arsenal target Mario Balotelli responds to transfer talk

Mario Balotelli

Italy striker and reported Arsenal top target Mario Balotelli has refused to be drawn on his future but insists that ‘we will see’ after the World Cup is finished.

Reports earlier this week suggested that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would meet with agent of Balotelli ahead of a potential £27 million transfer to the Emirates, bringing the Italian forward back to the Premier League.

He was a Manchester City player for a couple of years, winning the FA Cup and Premier League before leaving for Milan in 2013. It is believed that the Italian giants are willing to allow Balotelli to leave this summer and use the money raised from his transfer to bring in new talent and freshen the squad up a little.

Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, stated in the past week that talks may well be ongoing with Arsenal relating to a transfer for his client and a move may be imminent.

“I’m concentrating on the national team and the World Cup,” he told reporters.

“What comes later, we will see. I know nothing.”

Italy are in control of Group D in the World Cup having beaten England last week. They face Costa Rica next and Balotelli is hoping to carry on winning and enjoy a successful summer.

He told the media: “I’m experiencing this tournament with a great piece of mind. I experience no pressure, nor anything of the sort.

“I want to go as far as I can in the World Cup and score as many goals as possible. But the important thing is that the team wins. For me, the World Cup is more important than the Champions League or the Ballon d’Or.

“I hope it’s not Mario’s World Cup, but Italy’s World Cup. I don’t want to be the star, I want the team to win.”

Balotelli (14) scored twice as many goals as anyone else at Milan last season.