Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini admits he was keen on AC Milan signing Mario Balotelli.

Balotelli joined Milan on-loan from Liverpool.

“I admit it, it's true. I would've brought Balotelli to Inter," Mancini confessed to La Gazzetta.

“At a certain point we evaluated him as an understudy for Mauro Icardi. I thought of him because I know him, I care for him and know what he can give.

“I thought about it because he has to get back to being what he was. I thought about it… but then Milan got there first. Did we talk over the summer? Yes.

“I want to think of him as the first choice striker for Italy at Euro 2016, because I don't see a better centre-forward out there."