Manchester City will not consider paying "stupid money" for Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. Balotelli has stunned Manchester City by demanding a staggering £180,000 a week in wages.
And on top of his exorbitant wages, it is understood he wants an image rights deal that would take his weekly earnings over the £200,000-a-week mark.
Even though City are the world's richest club thanks to the backing from their billionaire Abu Dhabi owner Sheikh Mansour, they have balked at Balotelli's demands as well as Inter's £24million transfer fee.
City are refusing to commit themselves to what would be a £64m package of transfer and wages over a four-year contract for an unproven player whose discipline and maturity do not match his precocious talent.
A source told the Daily Express: "We all know City are paying well over the odds in transfer fees and salaries, but this is an enormous salary for such a young player. It is stupid money and you can see why City are not paying it, because there are big international stars in Roberto Mancini's team who would be asking for more money.
"This is the main reason for the hold up in the talks, because Inter also want a massive fee, so the total investment is just huge."
