Speculation linking Super Mario with return to England on Tuesday.
Former AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini has urged the club to keep hold of striker Mario Balotelli for as long as possible amid speculation of an exit.
The 23-year-old has had a controversial month during October, where he has consistently made the headlines for off-the-pitch incidents.
While the Rossoneri have been supportive of him throughout, it hasn’t stopped the Italian media picking up comments from his agent Mino Raiola who has suggested that he could leave the club.
Raiola has hinted at a potential switch to Chelsea and a reunion with Jose Mourinho, but Albertini has warned his former employers that they must keep hold of Balotelli for as long as possible.
“If I was a Milan director who signed him then I would keep a tight grip on him,” the Italian Football Federation Vice-President told Uno Mattina according to Football Italia. “I would not sell him.”
“Mario is a personality,” Albertini added. “He’s a great talent, but he makes the front pages for negative things.
“Balotelli just needs to be left alone and he needs to learn to trust only those people who love him.
“We need to get to the stage where we are only talking about him for what he does on the field of play.”
Coach Massimiliano Allegri’s decision to substitute him during the game against Parma on Sunday caused further controversy, but he has insisted that he is going nowhere in January and remains an integral part of the squad.
While Albertini’s suggestion is arguably the wise option, Balotelli is still a target for newspapers and it remains to be seen whether or not he will continue in Italy for years to come.
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