Balotelli is one of the most highly rated young footballers in the world

By John Sinnott

Manchester City are "hopeful" of completing a deal to sign 19-year-old Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli.

BBC Sport understands that terms and a fee - reportedly around £24m - have yet to be agreed.

Balotelli, tipped to be the new star of the Italy national team, has scored 28 goals in 86 appearances for Inter since his debut in December 2007.

Inter president Massimo Moratti has already suggested he could be receptive to offers for the forward.

Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United have also been linked with bids for Balotelli.

606: DEBATE Balotelli could be the signing of the summer - someone who will give us over 20 goals a season, guaranteed BlueMoon - CTID

Should the young Italian opt to join City, he would become the Eastlands club's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Aleksander Kolarov, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Jerome Boateng.

However, Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola, has insisted it is not a foregone conclusion.

"Balotelli hasn't signed anything with Manchester City and I doubt that anything will be agreed in the next few days," Raiola said on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, City boss Roberto Mancini told Italian daily La Stampa: "I was the first to believe in him and I'm convinced about what he can give.

"Mario has two qualities that suit us: his talent and his age, because I want people able to build a cycle at Manchester City.

"That said we return to the problem of valuation that has to be just. I like the player and at certain conditions. That's all.

"I think that in a couple of days certain situations will be clearer, but I can't guarantee in what way."

Balotelli is set to travel with European champions Inter to play pre-season friendlies in the United States, where one of the opponents will be his potential new employers City.

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