There was a sense of fear around the offices of Inter in Corso Vittorio Emaunele earlier this year when his brother Mario Balotelli in-degree manager Corrado confirmed that he gave the second part of his nickname of "super-agent" Mino Raiola. Although the European champions had to deal with a fat king transfer for the 17-year period, they knew from recent experience that this new relationship may not be in their favor in the long term.Raiola was the man behind the switch Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the San Siro to Barcelona's Camp Nou last summer, and although the Nerazzurri can now look back on it with a gleam in his eyes - the light hat-trick of trophies collected after Samuel Eto'o arrived in part exchange for the Swede - there were a lot of fingers pointed to the agent when Ibra first showed signs of wanting, thinking Italian-born Dutchman was one burst out big money.
So it is no surprise to many that Balotelli is currently sitting near the door, with his eviction suit without a doubt has hung one in her wardrobe Milan ready for him to collect as he heads to Eastlands among a galaxy of camera flashlights.
But all the while stones Balotelli to Manchester to sign a lucrative deal worth around € 5 million [£ 4 million] a year, then next to him will be his right hand, Raiola, playing the role normally reserved for Max Clifford, when Big Brother wants to party to the dollar or 10 of his newfound fame. The only problem here is that football is not a reality show, and it takes real talent to succeed in this great game. So this step will actually work for all?
Not 20 till August, Balotelli is clearly time on his side, but also has an impressive track record for one so young. Manchester City is not going to pay big money just for the potential: there is an element of the final product is on display in number 45. His totals 20 goals in 59 series of speeches over the past two and a half years, and his experience on the shelf up in the Champions League, says only a part of history that he did, and overcome, at the time in blue and black.
The teenager has lived his life in the spotlight ever since being withdrawn by coach Roberto Mancini during the first half of only his fourth league start away to Torino back in 2008 in a move by the current City boss to avoid the Palermo product eventually lashing out at Toro’s hatchet men and leaving his side short-handed. Since then there have been a catalogue of issues, ranging from first-team bans by Mancini’s successor Jose Mourinho to his countless run-ins with fans, whether that be racist opposition supporters or his own Inter followers when he turns in one of his regular bouts of surliness.
But the names of Mourinho and Balotelli have kept Italian football in the spotlight over the past couple of years. Doubtless, this has occasionally been for the wrong reasons, but their supreme talents have been shining lights in Serie A. Now, with one already gone, the second departing can surely only be further bad news.
Or can it? After all, the extra experience ‘Super Mario’ will pick up could be invaluable to his maturation as an international footballer, and, after this summer’s disgraceful early World Cup exit, the development of quality players in a wider context needs to be high on the agenda around the peninsula right now. Whilst Inter’s only gain from the deal will be the maximum €35m [£28m] transfer fee, and Serie A will be undoubtedly weakened by his loss, Cesare Prandelli will surely welcome one of his most creative talents broadening his horizons. It’s a long, long time since any of Italy’s most creative footballers made such a bold move.
For Balotelli itself changes could bring him a large buffer from glare of the media, and almost certainly facilitate the racist abuse he suffered at times in Italy. While it was not widespread, it was sometimes more like 1980's Britain, the more tolerant homeland in 2010. Taken together, these things can help Balotelli to become more relaxed, reflecting the young man than a spoiled child, a teenager often surly he is now.
As for Manchester City in the Premier League in general, of course, they can only benefit from the presence Balotelli in the coming years. His talent was simply no problem. With 2 big feet, pace, power, box of tricks to match David Copperfield in his pomp, and beliefs to run on - and outside - even the most experienced defenders in the world, he has more than enough about him to suggest that he can succeed both short and long in the richest league in the world.
Twenty years ago, the second most famous Manchester club Hacienda. Now the city are on a mission to make sure that it is United who are in the shadows, and after perhaps misguided splurges on similar Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin, the signing Balotelli may be the biggest step in the right direction. Raiola or not Raiola, Roberto Mancini may be about to seal a move that does not breaks, its reputation as the leader of the Premier League.
