Allegri insists striker will stay put.
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has insisted that he holds no fears over the future of striker Mario Balotelli despite recent reports of Chelsea’s interest in the player, Sky Sports reports.
Balotelli only joined Milan, who he claims are his boyhood club, back in January after a stormy two and a half years at Manchester City but that has not stopped speculation over his future from cropping up regularly.
Suspensions and a recent spell of less than impressive form has meant that the speculation has reignited once again, but Allegri has confirmed that there is no way the 23-year-old will be allowed to leave the San Siro this winter.
“I have absolutely no fear of losing Balotelli in January,” Allegri told reporters at a press conference.
“He is a Milan player who is now living in a time when he’s not playing well, but it can happen.”
Allegri was forced to address the rumours after Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raola, has suggested that a switch to Chelsea was a possibility for his client.
Balotelli has played under Jose Mourinho before when the pair were together at Inter Milan and they still enjoy a good relationship to this day, however, Raola admitted that Milan supremo Adriano Galliani would be more than reluctant to let him go.
“Balotelli and [Chelsea boss] Jose Mourinho could be reunited because they know each other and they didn’t leave each other with hate,” Raiola said.
“There was a not very nice incident between them, but they parted company on good terms. They have remained in contact and there is mutual respect.
“Balotelli to Chelsea could happen because Balotelli is a great striker, but Galliani doesn’t want it.”