Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has dismissed rumours saying that Mario Balotelli was on the transfer list.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has dismissed rumours saying that Mario Balotelli was on the transfer list.

The Italian striker was linked with a move to AC Milan during the January transfer window.

But Mancini, who brought Balotelli to Manchester after previously managing him at Inter Milan, has insisted the 22-year-old is staying.

“It is not true, Mario stays here. We didn’t have any requests about Mario or other players,” he told a press-conference ahead of City’s fourth-round FA Cup tie with Stoke.

When asked whether Balotelli was in his future plans, Mancini said: “Yes, Mario has another three years on his contract.”