AC Milan have once again distanced themselves from a move for Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

The controversial Italian appears to have fallen out-of-favour with the Premier League champions, following a series of off-field misdemeanours.

On the pitch he has also struggled, netting just once in 14 league appearances.

This has led to speculation that he may leave the club this January, with AC Milan rumoured to be a likely destination.

However, the club’s chief executive Adriano Galliani has ruled out a move for the 22-year-old:

"If no-one leaves, no-one will arrive." he is quoted by Sky Sports via Sport Mediaset.

"Mario Balotelli? We have five strikers for two/three roles, so we are fine.”

The San Siro giants have allowed Alexandre Pato to leave in recent weeks, but Galliani feels that they do not need to draft in a replacement:

"I always said that if only one striker were to leave, we would not have taken anyone, and we have sold only Pato.

"AC Milan needs a bit of time to get back to the top, but I'm sure we will. We want to invest in young players also in this market window."

Manchester City have been linked with a number of strikers in recent weeks, with manager Roberto Mancini hoping to get the club’s title challenge back on track.

To bring in another front-man it’s likely that he will have to move on one of his current attackers, with Balotelli expected to be allowed to leave.

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