Manchester City head coach Roberto Mancini has publicly confirmed that if Jose Mourinho made Mario Balotelli available, the Italian would jump at the opportunity to reunite with his former prodigy.

Via SkySports

“I’d gladly take him right away,” he told La Repubblica. “Mario is potentially a world class player, especially considering his age, as he already changes a game.

“I don’t know about his current behaviour, but I’ve never had reason to complain when working with him.”

Meanwhile, Inter boss Mourinho insists he does not have a problem with Balotelli and is only judging him for his on-field performances.

“Balotelli? I’m always concerned about his performance on the pitch, nothing more,” he told Inter Channel.

“I liked him against Chievo, against Milan, against Juventus and against Fiorentina. Against Fiorentina he only had to realise that when the team is in difficulty, he must forget everything [else] – absolutely everything.

“He has been picked and he will not be going to the stands; there is not a problem with Balotelli and there has never been a problem with Balotelli.”