Balotelli transfer was hard and difficult, says Galliani

Milan, Feb 2 (IANS): AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani admitted the negotiations with Manchester City to bring in Mario Balotelli were “hard and difficult”.

The Serie A giants signed the 22-year-old for a fee of around 21 million euros inspite of Manchester City asking for 35 million.

“The idea of Balotelli at Milan has been in our minds for a long time,” Galliani said.

“We are happy and proud to have finally got him. They were hard and difficult negotiations, as well as being very long.

“It was one of the most complicated negotiations of my career, but we really wanted Mario.

“Last year we had the oldest team, now we have the youngest – that is what we want Milan to be, and Mario is a big part of that.

“I am not concerned about Mario’s reputation – the English media are more invasive than the Italian press,” he said.