Rumour: AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli to be sold in summer

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli is set to be sold by the Italian club in the summer after he became the scapegoat for their Champions League exit last night.

Milan are 10th in Serie A and were knocked out by Atletico Madrid, 5-1 on aggregate, at the last-16 stage of the competition, leaving them nothing to play for this season.

Balotelli was hammered in the Italian press afterwards and it looks like the club may have lost patience with him, too.

It could open the door up to a move back to the Premier League and Arsenal who are apparently interested in the Italian.

The Gunners are short on firepower and see him as an ideal summer signing.

England was where his fiery temper and childish antics cost him his future at Manchester City. He was sent back to Italy where he impressed for the first few months but since, he has been a disappointment.

The exit door could also be left open for Adel Taarabt and Michael Essien to use, too.

The position of new coach Clarence Seedorf is also under threat, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, despite a promising start in charge.

Former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi said: “This is not a team. They do not defend collectively and this just highlights the limitations of every individual player.

“In attack they have many soloists, but the style of football has no logic to it.”

Balotelli has 10 goals in 19 Serie A games this season and is the club’s top scorer.