AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has dismissed reports linking striker Alexandre Pato to Manchester City in a swap deal involving Mario Balotelli.
The club have made no secret of their admiration for the Italian striker but have made it clear that they will not entertain any deal involving Pato.
Berlusconi told Milan Channel: “An exchange involving Pato and Balotelli? I don’t like exchanges. Pato is definitely not on the market. He is one of our best players and has the opportunity to become an icon here over many years.
“Unfortunately, his frequent injuries have been a problem, but we just need to handle him right. AC Milan is the perfect setting for him.”
The speculation comes after Milan’s chief executive Adriano Galliani revealed his admiration for Balotelli: “I have a profound love for Mario Ballotelli but many loves in life don’t always end well.”
Balotelli has endured a slow start to the season for City with Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko preferred choices for Roberto Mancini.
