Saturday, 23rd August, 2014
Mario Balotelli's agent has stamped on talk that the striker was offered to both Arsenal and Chelsea this summer, insisting that the only club he has dealt with in England is Liverpool.
The striker is poised to put pen to paper on a contract with Liverpool on Monday, after the Reds agreed a €20m fee with AC Milan last week.
Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola revealed he has been holding talks with Liverpool for three months in a bid to move his client to Anfield.
It had been claimed that Balotelli was offered to several clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea. But Raiola is insistent that the only club has has had contact with in England is Liverpool.
"The negotiations with the English have been very smooth, fair and based on the content", he told Corriere della Sera.
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"It has been going on for three months. It is not a scoop.
"Liverpool have always been the only team that I have dealt with for Mario in England."
And Raiola explained he felt the time was right for Balotelli to part with AC Milan, even if he could not say so in public.
"My duty is not to do anything that might harm the career of my client. I have not sworn to tell the truth before a judge!
"I like to be honest though.
"Three days ago there was nothing at stake: there was talk of Liverpool but there wasn't an offer.
"If you asked me if there was an offer, I would have said no. If you had asked me if I was talking to Liverpool, I would say yes.
"The truth is that I've been working on Mario for months. It was time to divorce from Milan."
Asked why the time had come for the striker to leave the Rossoneri, Raiola replied: "I cannot explain it. A feeling, a feeling."
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