AC Milan have reportedly confirmed that they would like to bring in Mario Balotelli from Manchester City this month.
While no formal offer has been made, it is believed that talks are continuing between both clubs and Balotelli's agent.
Manchester City have maintained throughout this window that Balotelli will not be sold in January.
The Italian has regularly been linked with a move back to his homeland since arriving at City in the summer of 2010, and Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri was questioned on his interest in the striker after side's 1-0 victory over Atalanta on Sunday.
Allegri was reluctant to discuss another club's player but admitted he was an admirer and indicated that Balotelli's controversial character would not be a problem.
"Balotelli? I won't think about him because he is a Manchester City player," Allegri told Sky Italia.
"If he arrives here, then I'll consider how to approach him. Obviously, I wouldn't say no.
"We are setting up a good, disciplined group and that is important in a difficult League like Serie A."
brian foster
9:34pm on 27/1/2013
Disciplin,Doubtful Balotelli can spell it and without doubt he will disrupt any dressing room who are foolish enough to have him. City would love to get rid of him regardless of the rubbish spouted by his manager(its doubtfull that the manager would have any say in the matter). The stumbling block is City paid two much for him and his weekly wage is an expensive joke.