Manchester City to replace Balotelli with David Villa?

Maverick striker Mario Balotelli has been tipped to be replaced by David Villa by Manchester City. Balotelli is subject to go through a medical at AC Milan on Wednesday after City decided to sell him for £17million which could increase to £19.5m depending on the add-ons.

City are also reportedly making their last attempt to sign up Barcelona’s £15m-rated forward as Arsenal gave up their efforts of signing him.

City has already made extensive enquiries about Villa. City boss Robert Mancini considers Villa to be his main target.

Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, who were ex-Barca officials, are now City’s Chief Executive and Sporting Director respectively. They can help seal a deal using their contacts at the former club.

Barca has not yet made a decison about selling Villa but the Eastlands bosses have kept their hopes high and believe that Barca will be allured by the £15m offer and eventually sell him off. As Villa suffered injuries early in the season, he missed out on almost the entire 2011-12 season. He has been making huge efforts to become a regular at Barca.

City is also examining the option of taking Villa on loan for this season as an immediate replacement to Balotelli.

Balotelli only scored one goal the entire season and the controversial scuffle with his boss earlier this month has triggered Mancini to do away with him.

Sources-Mirror