Inter have confirmed ManchesterCity have made a €25 million-plus bid for MarioBalotelli, and despite it being rejected, they are confident an agreement will be reached and the striker will leave the European champions.
City officials met with Inter chiefs late on Thursday night and made their pitch. It did not receive the enthusiasm they were expecting as the Nerazzurri told them to raise the stakes up a notch. That is likely to happen on Friday when the wheelers and dealers meet again.
"Yes, we have received representatives from Manchester City in our offices," an Inter source told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"We are talking about a calm and cordial exchange on the eventual transfer of Mario Balotelli at the end of which the offer presented, close to €25m, was not considered adequate.
"That doesn’t mean the deal can’t be restarted in the future."
On Thursday both Inter president Massimo Moratti and CEO Ernesto Paolillo said there was a chance Balotelli would be sold.
"He is worth more than anyone else," said Paolillo.
"We have to evaluate the situation," Moratti added.
Their comments arrived before City tabled an offer.
Voices suggest a deal could be concluded by July 31 - the day Inter play City in a friendly, with Balotelli taking part against the Nerazzurri. Sky Sport Italia are claiming City have offered the striker considerable wages and the hope of regular first team action, with Inter receiving upto €5m extra depending on Balotelli's success in front of goal in the Premier League.