Balotelli WON'T be leaving Man City, says his agent

Mario Balotelli’s agent says his client will not be leaving Manchester City despite Roberto Mancini suggesting he may have played his last game for the club.

Balotelli is 'finished' at City, says Mancini after striker is sent off in defeat at Arsenal  

The 21-year-old striker was sent off during City's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal - a result that left them eight points behind Manchester United in the title race with just six games left to play.

When asked whether Balotelli will be sold, Mancini said: “Probably – but I don’t know. I am finished. We have six games and he will not play in the next six games.

“I think that Mario should have been sent off after 10 minutes. Balotelli is a fantastic player, I can continue to play with Mario on the pitch but every time we’ll risk having him sent off.

“He needs to change his behaviour if he wants to improve his life. I’ve seen players finished in two or three years with huge talent. He needs to change. He must change it. I hope for him he will.”

But Balotelli's agent says he is confident the former Inter Milan star will stay at City.

Mino Raiola told Sky Italia: "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.

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

Raiola said Balotelli' dangerous tackle on Alex Song was not intended to hurt the Arsenal man.

"I spoke with Balotelli and he was very sorry for what happened," he said. "I didn’t see the incident but like Mancini said, things can happen.

"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."

Raiola did admit that Balotelli's season could be over because of his stamp on Song.

"Mario will receive a big suspension after this red card," he added.

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