Moratti: Balotelli price not yet right

Published Jul. 15, 2010 3:41 p.m. ET

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Balotelli, 19, has drawn the interest of clubs around Europe this summer with both Manchester United and their cross-town rivals City reportedly interested in his services. But Inter are reluctant to let one of their most promising, if not temperamental, players leave the club, with Moratti admitting on Thursday afternoon that it would be "very sad" if the striker was to depart. His comments came just hours after sporting director Marco Branca said that Balotelli was "not for sale" and that his value to the club was "priceless". But Moratti has not ruled out the possibility of Balotelli, who has begun pre-season training with the Champions League winners, moving on before the new season. Moratti intimated that Inter had been in talks with both Manchester clubs about the possibility of a move, although any potential deal would seem a long way off with both parties apparently poles apart in their valuation of the player. "I believe they are both serious clubs that will evaluate what the right transfer market value is for them," Moratti told Sky Sport 24. "It will be up to us then to decide if that value is the same also for us. For the time being, we are far away from this situation. "It would be very sad but we have to also take into account figures (money)." The 19-year-old striker is under contract with Inter for another three seasons. He is coming off an up-and-down season with the Nerazzurri under former coach Jose Mourinho. Balotelli, who grew up a fan of AC Milan, heard plenty of boos at Inter as the team won the Coppa Italia, Serie A and Champions League treble. Mourinho dropped him from the first team as punishment for bad behaviour earlier this year but quickly brought him back into the team. Former AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, who led Chelsea to the title this season in England, has expressed the opinion that the Premier League would be an ideal competition for Balotelli. "He is a great talent, certainly requested by other clubs," Moratti added. "Balotelli has started training very well, with a lot of seriousness. We are evaluating alongside him what the solution would be."