AC Milan head coach Filippo Inzaghi believes striker Mario Balotelli will remain at the club, despite Arsenal’s long-standing interest in the player.
A source close to the Emirates Stadium told Football Express News the former Manchester City hitman was their primary transfer target at the start of the summer, but they have since assessed other options whilst keeping an eye on developments at the San Siro.
Inzaghi addressed foreign reporters ahead of several pre-season friendlies in the USA and insisted he was calm about the 23-year-old’s future, amid constant speculation surrounding the enigmatic attacker.
He said: “I am calm. Mario is an important player and will try to make it better.
“Despite everything that is said about him, I have no problem with him. I have to make the best of his ability.
“The first choices are he and (Giampaolo) Pazzini and I think it will remain so.”
Balotelli’s character has often been called into question thanks in no small part to a string of misdemeanours.
The latest flashpoint came earlier this month when the forward took a picture of himself brandishing a gun and made it his homepage image on Instagram.
He hastily deleted the photograph – which was accompanied by the chilling message “a kiss to those who hate me” – but not before it had gone viral online.
However, Inzaghi revealed he has reported back for training with a positive attitude in preparation for the American tour.
He added: “The boys say that every time we play we have to improve.
“We have difficult games, we have many young people, but we are Milan and we always make a good impression.
“(Mattia) De Sciglio and (Ignazio) Abate have returned a day earlier, Balotelli wanted a personal trainer.”