Football
ESPN staff 10y

Mario Balotelli joins Milan U.S. tour

Mario Balotelli will be part of AC Milan's preseason U.S. tour, only weeks after club president Silvio Berlusconi revealed that he was close to being sold.

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The ex-Manchester City striker's future has been the subject of much speculation in the aftermath of Italy's poor World Cup campaign, for which he received heavy criticism.

But the 23-year-old -- who was reported to have been interesting Arsenal before Arsene Wenger denied any move -- is going nowhere for the time being.

"Mario will return with willingness on the 21st [of July] and will come with us to the United States," Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi told the Sportmediaset TV station.

The Serie A club will play Olympiakos in New York on July 24 before facing City and Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Domenico Criscito is in talks with Milan over a possible return to Serie A this season.

Agent Andre D'Amico confirmed that the Zenit St Petersburg full-back was in negotiations with the club, telling Sportitalia television: "There has been contact [from Milan] for Criscito, but there's a long way to go before the talks are complete. So far, it's just been an informative contact."

Criscito, 27, is keen on a return to Serie A after missing out on a place in Italy's World Cup squad, and La Gazzetta dello Sport quoted him as saying: "I'm very attracted by Milan's interest."

He is valued at 12 million euros by Zenit, although Milan are trying to reduce the price and could potentially include Philipp Mexes in their bid.

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