Napoli rule out Balotelli move

Posted Thursday, August 11, 2011 by teamtalk.com

Napoli rule out Balotelli move
Balotelli: Not a target for Napoli

Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis insists he does not want to sign controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

The Italy international has been hitting the headlines throughout the summer and City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted the antics have made him feel like he needs a psychiatrist.

Former Inter Milan striker Balotelli has also voiced his disappointment at life in Manchester, which has fuelled suggestions he is homesick.

City, though, have never publicly shown they want to sell the 20-year-old, and Napoli would not be interested regardless of the Premier League club's stance or the possible exit of Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Asked if Napoli wanted to sign Balotelli, De Laurentiis told Sky Sport Italia: "Absolutely not. He is funny, but it is too disruptive and I prefer that he applies his talents elsewhere."

Napoli would instead prefer to sign Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi, who was previously a target of Juventus, while Barcelona or Real Madrid are thought to be his dream clubs.

De Laurentiis said: "I understand the ambition of a young man to want to go to Barcelona or Real Madrid, it's normal.

"He (Rossi) didn't say no to me, though, but this was around four weeks ago.

"I will try to buy him this season, but I'm ready to leave him in Spain."