Roberto Mancini says Mario Balotelli should be a Manchester City (13/8 to be 2010-11 Top North West Club) player this weekend and believes James Milner will move to Eastlands next week.
Balotelli has been a summer-long target for the City boss, who worked with the 20-year-old during his time in charge at the San Siro.
The two clubs have finally agreed a fee for the striker, believed to be in the region of £24million, with Balotelli flying to Manchester for a medical on Friday.
The Italian frontman, who has Ghanaian heritage, scored 28 goals in 86 appearances for Inter since his first-team debut in December 2007.
Balotelli could well be joined by England midfielder Milner (33/1 to be 2010-11 PFA Player of the Year) in the next ‘two or three days’, according to the City manager.
Milner’s future has been the long-running transfer saga of the summer and now looks like it could be finally drawing to a close.
The former Leeds and Newcastle man has been named in Aston Villa’s squad to face West Ham in their Premier League opener on Saturday, but could be wearing a City shirt next weekend.
The Eastlands outfit (1/2 to claim a top-four finish) have offered Villa £18million for the 24-year-old, with Stephen Ireland moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal.
The deal has been reportedly delayed to Ireland seeking a payment to leave City, but it looks like the issues have been ironed out.
Mancini insisted: “We need another two or three days for this situation. We need everyone to be happy.”
As two players head into Eastlands, another could be leaving as Craig Bellamy has been left out of the 25-man squad Mancini has named for the Premier League campaign.
The Wales international admitted last week that he was unsure over his future with the Blues and he now seems certain to leave before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
Former City boss Mark Hughes has confirmed that Fulham (18/1 in Premiership Without Top 6 market) are keen to sign Bellamy, whilst Celtic have begun negotiations with the striker’s representatives over a potential switch.
When asked about Bellamy, Hughes admitted: “Yes, I’d be interested in signing Craig. He’s one of the top players in the Premier League.”
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