Mario Balotelli seals move to AC Milan from Manchester City

AC Milan have signed striker Mario Balotelli from Premier League champions Manchester City for £19m.

The 22-year-old agreed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Italian club and completed a medical on Wednesday.
 
"I will always have a very special place in my heart for City, it's a great club with a great future," he told the Manchester club's website.  
"I thank them for all of their support of me. Maybe one day we will see each other again."
City signed Balotelli from Inter Milan for £24m in 2010 and he scored 30 goals in 80 appearances for the club.
He helped City to the Premier League title last season, but has managed only three goals in 20 matches this time round.
 
"I think to win the Premier League was a very special moment, and I am proud to have been a part of that," he added.
The forward also revealed he bid farewell to his team-mates at the pre-match dinner ahead of the 0-0 draw at QPR.

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“I love Roberto, he has been very important for my career, and I will always thank him for having trust and faith in me”

Mario Balotelli

"Yes, I said goodbye to everyone at the meal in London before the game at Queens Park Rangers. It was very emotional for me," Balotelli continued.

"I spoke with [manager] Roberto [Mancini] before I went to speak to the players. We spoke for some time about lots of things. He was sad, and I was too. But it was a good conversation. I love Roberto, he has been very important for my career, and I will always thank him for having trust and faith in me.
"Being at City was an important part of my life and career. I needed to grow up like a player and as a person and it has been a very good experience for me."
Balotelli flew to Milan by private jet on Wednesday afternoon with the Italian club's vice-president Adriano Galliani.
Galliani said: "With his arrival, we have reinforced our team a lot. He's a dream come true, wanted by [AC Milan president Silvio] Berlusconi and the club.
"Mario has been in our hearts for many years and finally we've managed to get him."
Milan reached an agreement with City on Tuesday and Balotelli will sign a four-and-a-half-year contract, subject to passing his medical.

Russia concern at Israeli 'air strike' on Syria

Israel has not commented on reports of an attack on Wednesday

Russia has expressed concern at an alleged Israeli attack on Syria, saying such a strike would be an unacceptable violation of the UN Charter.

Syria's army said Israeli jets had targeted a military research centre north-west of Damascus on Wednesday.
It denied reports that lorries carrying weapons bound for Lebanon were hit.
Russia has steadfastly refused to denounce Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the 22-month conflict that has killed more than 60,000 people.
The Syrian army statement, carried on state media, said Israeli fighter jets had carried out a direct strike on a scientific research centre in Jamraya, killing two people and injuring five.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said: "If this information is confirmed, then we are dealing with unprovoked attacks on targets on the territory of a sovereign country, which blatantly violates the UN Charter and is unacceptable, no matter the motives to justify it."

Possible targets

• Jamraya Centre: Reported scientific research centre responsible for developing chemical weapons
• Weapons convoy: Lorries carrying Russian-made SA-17 anti-aircraft missiles to Hezbollah bases in Lebanon

Relations between Russia and Israel have been improving in recent years as trade and economic ties have grown stronger, says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Moscow.

But Moscow is a close ally of President Assad, which would explain its concern at the reports, our correspondent adds.
Missiles heading for border?
The attack came as Israel voiced fears that Syrian missiles and chemical weapons could fall into the hands of militants such as the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah.
Israel and the US have declined to comment on the reported incident.
Lebanese security sources, Western diplomats and Syrian rebels say the target was an arms convoy near Lebanon's border. The Associated Press quoted a US official as saying the lorries were carrying Russian-made SA-17 anti-aircraft missiles.
The Lebanese military and internal security forces have not confirmed the reports, but say there has been increased activity by Israeli warplanes over Lebanon in the past week, and particularly in recent hours.

Analysis

Jonathan Marcus BBC Diplomatic Correspondent

While a good share of Israel's and indeed Washington's attention is taken up by fears about Syria's chemical arsenal falling into the wrong hands, this latest air strike or strikes underscores Israel's equal worry about sophisticated conventional weapons being passed to Hezbollah.
Some four years ago the then Israeli government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned it would not tolerate what it called "game-changing" weapons being transferred to Hezbollah.
This Israeli operation can thus be seen as in one sense pre-emptive, but also as a warning to the Syrian authorities and to Hezbollah.
Quite how Hezbollah may respond is unclear. Last July's attack on an airport bus carrying Israeli tourists in Bulgaria suggests that if there is to be a response it might be indirect - against Israeli or Jewish targets abroad, rather than across Lebanon's own frontier with Israel.
 

 

Correspondents say Israel fears Hezbollah could obtain anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, thus strengthening its ability to respond to Israeli air strikes.

Israel believes Syria received a battery of SA-17s from Russia after an alleged Israeli air strike in 2007 that destroyed a Syrian nuclear reactor near Deir Ezzor in eastern Syria, analysts say.
The US government said in 2008 that the reactor was "not intended for peaceful purposes".
Hezbollah said Wednesday's target was the Jamraya centre, condemning it as "an attempt to thwart Arab military capabilities" and pledging to stand by its ally Mr Assad.
Iron Dome move BBC Middle East correspondent Wyre Davies says that while none of the reports can be verified, some well-placed diplomats and military sources say they would not be surprised if Israel had acted, given the recent instability in Syria.
The Syrian army statement said the Jamraya centre - which was focused on "raising our level of resistance and self-defence" - was damaged in the attack, and specifically denied reports that an arms convoy had been hit.
It said "armed terrorist gangs", a term the government uses to describe rebel groups, had tried and failed repeatedly to capture the same facility in recent months.
Some reports suggest the facility could be Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Centre, believed to be the state organisation responsible for developing biological and chemical weapons.
Any Israeli attack on Syria side could cause a major diplomatic incident, analysts say, as Iran has said it will treat any Israeli attack on Syria as an attack on itself.
The reported attack came days after Israel moved its Iron Dome defence system to the north of the country.
Israel has also joined the US in expressing concern that Syria's presumed chemical weapons stockpile could be taken over by militant groups.

French troops in Mali take Kidal, last Islamist holdout

 

French forces earlier took the historic Malian city of Timbuktu

Mali: Divided nation

French forces have secured the northern Malian town of Kidal, the last main stronghold of Islamist rebels in the region, military officials say.

Militant Islamist fighters had already left the town, near the Algerian border, and are believed to be hiding in the surrounding mountains.
The capture of Kidal came days after French and Malian forces retook the provincial capitals Gao and Timbuktu.
Kidal official Haminy Maiga said the French troops had met no resistance.
"The French arrived aboard four planes," said, Mr Maiga, who heads the regional assembly.
"They took the airport and then entered the town, and there was no combat. The French are patrolling the town and two helicopters are patrolling overhead."
Earlier, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said a sandstorm had delayed the troops from leaving the airport and entering the town.
Islamist militants extended their control of the vast north of Mali in April 2012, taking advantage of a military coup.
France - the former colonial power in Mali - launched a military operation this month after the militants appeared to be threatening the south.
The BBC's Thomas Fessy in Timbuktu says the capture of Kidal marks the end of the first phase of the military operation to oust militants from northern Mali.

France is now expecting the deployment of thousands of African forces to support the second phase - driving the al-Qaeda-linked fighters from their desert hideouts.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Wednesday that France intended to leave Mali "quickly", and it was up to African countries to take over.
Several hundred soldiers from West African countries - including Niger and Chad - are already in Mali.
Our correspondent says French forces who entered Kidal found members of the secular National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) there.
The Tuareg rebels launched the insurgency last year before breaking away from the militants.
Their presence in Kidal explains why government troops have not yet been sent to the town, our correspondent adds.

Diakite targets Liverpool summer move

By Adam Digby, Italy Correspondent Lazio defender Mobido Diakite says Liverpool are his “first choice” once his contract expires with the Italian club in June.

GettyImagesMobido Diakite is dreaming of a move to Liverpool

Diakite, 25, was expected to leave the Biancocelesti this month after losing his place in Vladimir Petkovic’s starting line-up.
However, now his agent believes the player will see out his current deal with Lazio before moving on this summer.
“Liverpool are our first choice for June, but there is no hurry” agent Ulisse Savini told Sky Italia.
“We’ll see in the next few days, however, it would be very difficult to say no to a club like that.”
The Anfield club may yet attempt to strike a cut-price deal for the French-born player, given he is so out of favour with the Serie A side.
Diakite has been with the Rome-based club for six years, following a €300,000 switch from Pescara back in 2006. He has made almost 100 appearances for Lazio and was a vital part of their 2009 Coppa Italia-winning side, but has played just one game under Petkovic this season.

Rodgers: Ince signing too difficult

By ESPN staff

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says time may have run out for the club to secure the signing of Tom Ince in the January transfer window.

PA PhotosTom Ince has scored 15 goals for Blackpool this season

Ince has been on the Reds' radar throughout January but the club has prioritised bringing in more established faces, namely Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea and Brazilian Philippe Coutinho.
Sturridge has impressed since his move from Chelsea while Coutinho is the freshest arrival at Anfield after signing on Wednesday from Inter Milan for £8.5 million.
Since 2011 midfielder Ince, who is the son of former England captain Paul, has been at Championship side Blackpool. And his appearances for the Seasiders have also attracted attention from further afield than Merseyside with Reading one of his spurned admirers.
As a former Liverpool youth player Ince seems destined to one day return to his first club, particularly with Rodgers being a fan of the 21-year-old. But both club and player will have to bide their time before any reunion.
"I think it will be difficult now," Rodgers said. "We could still do the deal but it looks like one that is a bit too complicated at this stage.
"It's about affordability as well. If Tom stays at Blackpool it doesn't mean he won't join Liverpool at a later stage."

Gunners fight back for point

Arsenal fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool in a thrilling Barclays Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Both sides knew defeat could prove fatal to their hopes of closing back up on the top four, but neither looked ready to settle for anything other than all three points in an open and entertaining match.
Liverpool took an early lead through Luis Suarez after terrible defending by Arsenal, and then looked to be in complete control when Jordan Henderson walked in a second on the hour.
However, as so often in a frustrating season, the Gunners suddenly burst into life as in-form Olivier Giroud reduced the deficit with a close-range header and Theo Walcott then rattled in an equaliser.
There were more chances at each end, but defeat for either side would have been an injustice.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had recalled his regulars tonight, making seven changes from the side humiliated at Oldham in the FA Cup on Sunday.
It was a bright start by the Reds, their travelling support displaying a banner protesting against the infamous £62 tickets for away fans.
A slip by Bacary Sagna let Glen Johnson away down the left.
His cross into the Arsenal penalty area was miskicked by Thomas Vermaelen, just back from an ankle injury, and Wojciech Szczesny produced a good reaction save from Daniel Sturridge at the far post.
Midfielder Aaron Ramsey, though, failed to clear with a tame flick and the ball broke for Suarez, whose curling shot then deflected off Per Mertesacker to wrongfoot the goalkeeper.
Arsenal almost produced an immediate response as Walcott got ahead of Jamie Carragher, but his snapshot was straight at Jose Reina.
The match remained open, with Sturridge dragging an angled shot across the face of goal.
Arsenal also continued to press, and Reina was again called into action as he turned a curling effort from Walcott around the post.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard then produced some desperate defending as he hooked Lukas Podolski's cross through the six-yard box behind.
The visitors, though, almost made it 2-0 on 27 minutes when Szczesny got nowhere near a corner from the left and Daniel Agger's header was hacked off the line by Podolski.
Arsenal were forced into a change before half-time when Kieran Gibbs hobbled off and Brazil defender Andre Santos came on.
Szczesny was almost caught out when rushing from his goal to close down Henderson on the left corner of the penalty area, but the Liverpool midfielder chipped the ball onto the roof of the net - much to the relief of the backpedalling Poland goalkeeper.
Arsenal came close to a leveller early in the second half when Podolski floated a pass from the left out to the far post, where Walcott arrived to head it just over.
It proved a costly miss as Liverpool extended their lead on the hour.
Henderson battled past Santos and into the right side of the penalty area, before then holding off two more defenders. As the ball bounced back off Ramsey's boot, he stabbed it past Szczesny.
Arsenal needed an immediate response, and got it after 64 minutes when Giroud planted a header into the far corner from Jack Wilshere's right-wing free-kick.
Before Liverpool could settle, the Gunners were level.
Santi Cazorla worked the ball out on the right side of the penalty area to Giroud. His lay-off teed up Walcott just outside the six-yard box and the England forward lashed an angled drive across Reina into the far corner.
Walcott curled a 20-yard effort just wide after running along the edge of the Liverpool box.
Gerrard was somewhat fortunate to only have been shown a yellow card by referee Kevin Friend after jumping in with his foot raised on Mertesacker.
The 6ft 7in German was, though, soon up again as he headed a free-kick from Wilshere just over at the near post.
Reina saved at full stretch from Giroud as Arsenal looked for a late winner, with the Frenchman then scuffing an effort from close range.
Suarez saw a late strike turned away by Szczesny in stoppage time as a thrilling encounter finally ended all square.

Suarez plans long Liverpool stay

By ESPN staff

Luis Suarez has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool, insisting he plans to stay at Anfield for a "very long time".

PA Photos Luis Suarez feels at home playing for Liverpool

Suarez joined Liverpool in the 2011 January transfer window and has proved to be a brilliant signing for the Reds. He has, though, had his difficult moments - notably a suspension after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra.
He often comes in for criticism from rival fans and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has warned against hounding the Uruguay star out of the Premier League.
But for all the controversies, his commitment to Liverpool has never wavered and after scoring in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Wednesday he reaffirmed his desire to stay at the club.
"I hope [to be at Liverpool] for a very long time because it's a massive club that kids dream about playing for," Suarez told the club's official website.
"I've been very proud to be at a club like Liverpool and to have made the decision to come here. In two years I've lived through some spectacular and very special moments that I will never, ever forget.
"There have been a few difficult times as well, but with the support of my family, the club and the fans, things have gone well for me.
"I do feel at home here. When I'm out and about, all I get is support and encouragement from the local people and that's very important, and when I come here to the club I feel like people have known me all my life. That also helps a great deal to making me feel so at home.
"I hope to be able to help out the team for as long as I possibly can while trying to do something to make the club and the fans very happy."