Mario Balotelli is one very nervous player. After agreeing to personal terms with Manchester City last week, the 19 year old is yet to officially sign a deal with the EPL outfit. According to his agent Mano Raiola and Inter president Massimo Moratti, both clubs are yet to agree on a transfer fee.
Balotelli agreed to a 5 year deal that will see him earn 3.8 million Euros per year at Eastlands. Manchester City on the other hand have lowered their buying price by 4 million to 26 million Euros and are also offering Brazilian striker Robinho on a loan agreement as an incentive for the Nerazzurri to wrap up the deal.
With Robinho’s loan at Santos having end, Manchester City have demanded their record signing to immediately return to Eastlands as they will not be extending his loan.
Despite a notable improvement in his form while at Santos, Robinho acknowledged that his fate was in the hands of city.
“This display of affection from the fans really touches me because this is my home,” he said, as quoted by the Guardian.
“I hope I can stay but it depends on Manchester City. I hope this is not my last game here but, for now, what I have been told is that they [the negotiations] are at a standstill and I have to go back to Manchester.”
Robinho said this after his final match for Santos where they beat Vitoria 2-0 in the first leg of the Brazilian Cup Final.
Once again Robinho is dealt fate’s cruel hand. Now, just in case you forgot, While still in Madrid, Robinho received the same treatment from former president Ramon Calderon.
During his campaign for the club’s presidency, Calderon promised the fans he would bring Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu and for some time, it actually looked like Ronaldo would indeed sign for the Spanish giants.
However, things took an unexpected turn when Robinho learned that Calderon wanted to use him as bait to lure Ronaldo to Spain. A furious Robinho demanded an immedidate transfer from Madrid with Chelsea being his most probable destination.
Sensing that he would lose one of his most talented players, Calderon backtracked on the Ronaldo deal by trying to offer Robinho a new contract. Robinho would have none of it and on the last day of the transfer season, Robinho shocked the world when he signed a four year 160,000 Pounds per week contract with Manchester City after Chelsea failed to meet Madrid’s asking price.
Ever since then, Robinho has failed to excite in his club career. Robinho would be a valuable addition to Inter, however, i do not think Benitez would bring out the best in him.
The Spaniard is known to be a very tactical coach who prefers not to experiment outside his comfort zone and this could also prove to be a huge stumbling block in his new job.
Photo credit: from Santos Futebol Clube
