Manchester City could offload out of favour striker Mario Balotelli by the end of the month as talks between the club and AC Milan are set to start today.

City are hoping to get at least £30m from the sale of the striker, though the fee may be nearer to the £24m the club paid to bring the player from Inter back in the summer of 2010. Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi previously called Balotelli a "rotten apple" and the club's chief executive Adriano Galliani told the press: "On Friday, Manchester City were still saying €37m. At that price, he will stay in Manchester, but we will see on Monday."

The eccentric Italian has had a troubled time of late, scoring just one goal from his seven starts in the Premier League this season. There have been several off the field issues with the player as well. Balotelli has been stood down from the match-day squad at least twice due to problems with his attitude in training, and last month came close to taking City after refusing to accept a fine of £340k, or two weeks wages, after missing 11 games last season through suspensions.

The 22 year old's training ground bust-up with manager Roberto Mancini earlier this month appeared to be the final straw, with rumours Balotelli would be shown the exit as soon as possible in the January transfer window.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner