Farewell my boy

Mancini admits he did not want Balotelli to leave

Mario Balotelli will leave Manchester City – despite them drawing a blank at Loftus Road on Tuesday.

The striker signed for AC Milan yesterday in a £19.5mil deal, bringing to an end to his chaotic 2½-year stay at the Etihad.

But City could have done with his scoring skills on Tuesday as they failed to beat rock-bottom QPR.

Mancini admitted he did not want the player to leave but had no choice but to let him return home to Italy.

He said: “We are so sad because Mario was an important player for us. With Mario we won the Premier League and the FA Cup in two years.

“It was difficult because he could be important in the next 14 games. But it’s important for Mario to go back to Italy.

“I think he can improve and I’m happy he will become one of the best players in the world.”

Mancini denied he had grown tired of Balotelli’s unpredictable behaviour. He added: “For me, Mario was like another one of my children. You can be upset with him but afterwards he’s a lovely lad.

“I invest a lot of time with all players. With Mario, maybe more. It was emotional when we said goodbye. When I say that I love Mario, and all his team-mates love him, it’s true.”

Balotelli joined City for £24mil from Inter Milan in August 2010.

City star Sergio Aguero tweeted: “Good luck Mario, no one will forget you round here. “All the best in your new journey.” QPR boss Harry Redknapp reckons his rock-bottom side have a fighting chance of staying up – if they bring in new faces before today’s transfer deadline.

Redknapp named two keepers on the bench on Tuesday and will step up his efforts to bring in Stoke striker Peter Crouch and Anzhi centreback Chris Samba.