Manchester City cult hero Mario Balotelli with inset of mystery silhouette
Manchester City cult hero Mario Balotelli with inset of mystery silhouette
Manchester City are now closing in on the signing of a player Mario Balotelli previously described as “very strong”.
The Citizens are looking to end the summer transfer window on a high note, having overhauled their team over the past few months.
However, there’s still a lot of work for Manchester City to do, considering their disappointing start to the Premier League season.
That said, City could soon bolster their ranks with an exciting player who is among the best in the world in his position.
READ MORE: The two things Inter Milan must do this season to trigger Manuel Akanji’s mandatory buy clause
Mario Balotelli (L) and Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy joked during a Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on May 25, 2018
Mario Balotelli (L) and Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy joked during a Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on May 25, 2018
Mario Balotelli hailed ‘very strong’ Gianluigi Donnarumma
Man City are officially closing in on the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
This is no longer speculation, as Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso has confirmed that Donnarumma is City-bound.
Donnarumma’s medical at Man City is now imminent as he is set to succeed Ederson, who could be on his way to Fenerbahce.
And City cult hero Mario Balotelli is friends with Donnarumma, having previously joked with him about the scar he picked up against Monaco last year.
“Couldn’t they have taken your nose instead,” Balotelli joked in a comment on Donnarumma’s Instagram post after the game.
Back in 2023, Balotelli also said he prefers Donnarumma to current Milan keeper Mike Maignan.
“Maignan is always attentive, he always wants to play it fast,” Balotelli told TV Play, via Football Italia. “He is unique because of that.
“But I am fond of Gigio, I played with him and I know him, therefore – having to choose between the two – I would definitely take Donnarumma.”
Balotelli continued: “I hope he takes Italy to the Euros and proves to those who tease him that he is a very strong goalkeeper.”
Donnarumma and Balotelli were both at Milan during the 2015/16 season, and have also been part of multiple Italy training camps together.
READ MORE: Manchester City fans say they have an ‘Eze-esque’ youngster in their ranks, ‘what a player’
The Italians who have already played for Manchester City
Donnarumma is set to become the fifth Italian to have represented Man City on the pitch, and the first one at the club for 10 years.
He is also set to become the first Italian player at Man City who is not an attacker.
Player Year he joined Year he left Appearances Goals
Mario Balotelli 2010 2013 80 30
Rolando Bianchi 2007 2008 24 5
Bernardo Corradi 2006 2007 29 3
Luca Scapuzzi 2011 2014 2 0
Balotelli, Rolando Bianchi, Bernardo Corradi and Luca Scapuzzi all represented the club in years gone by, with varying degrees of success.
There have also been two Italian coaches at City – Roberto Mancini and Enzo Maresca.