Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has urged his board to move for Inter Milan firebrand Mario Balotelli. The Times says the 19-year-old forward has been involved in a series of controversies under José Mourinho's management at Inter, most recently by throwing his shirt on the ground in response to jeers from fans at the Champions League semi-final, first-leg victory over Barcelona last month.

Balotelli has had a series of disciplinary problems since breaking into Inter's first team as a 17-year-old, but Mancini believes the forward's raw talent would make him an ideal signing and that his personality may prove less disruptive in England than in Italy.