AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has confirmed new Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli wanted to leave the San Siro this summer.
Balotelli, who joined Milan from Manchester City for €20 million in January 2013, sealed a £16 million move to Merseyside last month after weeks of end-less speculation linking him with an exit from Milan.
A host of English Premier League, including Arsenal, were reportedly keen on the Italy international, but the Reds ultimately won his signature.
“We have a good relationship but at a certain point I understood he wanted to leave,” Galliani said.
“I consider him to potentially be a really big player and I hope he continues to grow.
“I was very happy for his goal with Liverpool in the Champions League.”
Balotelli’s exit coincided with the arrivals of Alex, Diego Lopez, Fernando Torres (on loan from Chelsea), and Jeremy Menez, who has already bagged three goals in two Italian Serie A appearances this season.
According to Galliani, this is proof Milan can still recruit top talent amid the absence of European football.
“Purchases must not be evaluated for their cost, but the performances. It is much more difficult to take players as a free agent,” he added.
“The AC Milan appeal helps, but it also takes knowledge of the world of agents and relations with the club.
“For example, Menez and Alex were at the end of their contracts, but Diego Lopez and Fernando Torres were tied to Real Madrid and Chelsea.
“We have taken them at no cost only because of good personal relationships.”
Milan, fresh off a narrow 5-4 win in the pulsating nine-goal thriller at Parma, are top of the table after two weeks of action, with AS Roma, Juventus, and Internazionale rounding out the top-four.
Bournemouth sign Boruc on loan deal
Bournemouth have completed the signing of goalkeeper Artur Boruc on loan from Southampton.
The Poland international, 34, lost his starting place at St Mary’s following the summer arrival of Fraser Forster from Celtic.
Boruc is available to feature against Watford at the weekend and in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup match versus Cardiff City.
“Artur is a presence and has a great deal of experience behind him, both at club and international level,” said Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.
“He was Southampton’s first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League last season, he kept a number of clean sheets and performed very well.
“For a Championship club to sign a goalkeeper who performed very well in the Premier League last season is a major coup for us.
“We have a team of excellent goalkeepers and I am looking forward to seeing them work together and bring out the best in one another.”
Boruc will compete with Lee Camp to be the Cherries’ No. 1.
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