Mario Balotelli on verge of signing for Manchester City

Balotelli has been on City's radar all summer, but it looked as though the deal may have stalled earlier this week when they striker said he could yet stay at Inter Milan.

But after talks between the two clubs on Thursday progress has been made in the negotiations and he now looks set to move to the Premier League in a deal worth close to £30 million in total.

According to the Independent Manchester City were closing in on a deal to sign the Italian striker Mario Balotelli last night, with a £2.8m net salary agreed and Internazionale finally ready to drop their asking price to the £23m price City are offering ...According to the Independent Manchester City were closing in on a deal to sign the Italian striker Mario Balotelli last night, with a £2.8m net salary agreed and Internazionale finally ready to drop their asking price to the £23m price City are offering ...According to the Independent Manchester City were closing in on a deal to sign the Italian striker Mario Balotelli last night, with a £2.8m net salary agreed and Internazionale finally ready to drop their asking price to the £23m price City are offering ....

Agent Mino Raiola told Sky Italia: "Today, there was a step forwards, I can confirm that. So I am very confident about closing the deal soon but it doesn't just depend on me.

"Will he play on Saturday against Tottenham? Look, at this point I would say no. Even if we close the deal tomorrow he wouldn't be able to do it, because of all the paperwork. Then the English laws impose details that would exclude his presence as early as Saturday.

"I am very optimistic, but today the deal is not already done. We haven't decided yet if Mario will go to England tomorrow, we need to think about that, but we haven't established that.''

Balotelli's debut is more likely to come against Liverpool on August 23.

"I don't know if he will be there,'' continued Raiola. "For me it would be perfect, but it doesn't just depend on me. Nothing is yet sealed so I can't guarantee that. Our aim is to close everything as soon as possible, we hope to be able to resolve the factors soon.''

Raiola, who revealed that the main problems centred around the bonuses the player would receive, added that they were always working with the end goal in sight. He said: "If Mario already knew about important steps he should predict the lottery numbers.

"He knows that his first aim is Manchester City, we are working for that aim, because it's his choice. Was the deal ever in danger of being called off? I never think of problems, I believe that by working with good intentions you can always bring home results which satisfy all the parties.''