MILAN: Mario Balotelli appears on the verge of heading out of English football and to the Italian game from which he rushed away to Manchester City.

Both Milan and the Serie A champions Juventus have reportedly been in talks with City and Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola.

The sticking point is the fee. City value the Italy striker at £20m while Milan had stuck on £17m. Balotelli held the balance of power were he to reduce his wages demands.

Elsewhere, with the transfer deadline two days away, Arsenal hopes were fading of signing Spain’s record striker David Villa from Barcelona.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: “Barcelona don’t want to sell, they’ve made that clear. I said they don’t want to sell, I didn’t say he was a target.”

There have been no new arrivals at the Emirates this month despite Arsenal’s position outside the top four and the departures of Marouane Chamakh and Johan Djourou.

Wenger said: “We are still trying, but it’s hard to sign players in January who can improve you.”

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