Inter Milan keen to re-sign Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti admits he would like to see controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli return to the club.

Balotelli played three eventful seasons for Inter before joining City for around £24m in the summer of 2010.

"I would take Balotelli back tomorrow," said Moratti. "I've always had a lot of admiration for him.

"I think he's starting to do really well thanks to [City coach Roberto] Mancini and his experience in England."

Balotelli, who scored his first goal for Italy in the 2-0 win over Poland last week, had a mixed time at Inter and was forced to publicly apologise after wearing the shirt of his boyhood heroes AC Milan on an Italian television show.

He was also heavily criticised when he threw his shirt to the ground after being booed by Inter fans for a poor performance against Barcelona.

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Balotelli has matured, he has found the right path under Mancini

Inter boss Claudio Ranieri

The 21-year-old was frequently dropped by former Inter coach Jose Mourinho for disciplinary reasons and Moratti said: "I don't have any regrets over selling him.

"At the time, certain things happened that made it difficult to keep him. But if I had the chance, I would sign him tomorrow morning."

Balotelli's time at City has also not been without incident, includingthrowing a dart at a youth team player, being substituted for an allergy to the pitch in Kiev, and last month he escaped unhurt after a firework launched inside his house set his bathroom alight.

The president is not the only member of the Inter hierarchy interested in the enigmatic forward.

Coach Claudio Ranieri, the former Chelsea boss, said: "I would welcome him with open arms. He's a stunning talent. But I haven't spoken with the dressing room to see if there would be an aversion to seeing him again.

"Balotelli has matured, he has found the right path thanks to Mancini. It's up to him to understand how much it suits him to act the rebel. Balotelli can be one of the best footballers in the world, but it's up to him."

Nigerian player Bobsam Elejiko dies in Belgium

Bobsam Elejiko died while playing for his club in Belgium

Nigeria defender Bobsam Elejiko collapsed and died while playing for Belgian side Merksem SC on Sunday.

The 30-year-old was playing in the fifth-tier game against FC Kaart when he collapsed.

Attempts to resuscitate the defender were unsuccessful and the cause of death was not immediately clear.

CAREER OF BOBSAM ELEJIKO

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• Wacker Nordhausen, Germany (2000-01)
• Turnhout, Belgium (2001-03)
• Westerlo, Belgium (2003-07)
• Royal Antwerp, Belgium (2007-08)
• SC Beira-Mar, Portugal (2008)
• Deinze, Belgium (2009)
• Red Star Waasland, Belgium (2009-10)
• Merksem, Belgium (2011)

"With deep sadness we announce the sudden death of Bobsam Elejiko," Merksem said in a statement. The match was abandoned after Elejiko's death.

"He collapsed and died suddenly in the pitch and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Elejiko had previously played for Westerlo and Antwerp among other teams
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Manchester United's Michael Owen out for six weeks

Owen came off early in the match at Old Trafford

Manchester United's Michael Owen is set to be out until at least Christmas with the thigh injury he sustained in the 2-0 win against Otelul Galati.

The England forward, 31, lasted 10 minutes before suffering the problem in the build-up to United's opening goal.

OWEN'S MAN UTD FACTFILE

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• Joined: 3 July 2009
• Debut: 9 Aug 2009 v Chelsea
• Appearances: 52
• Goals: 17

"Michael has a thigh muscle injury and will be out for six weeks or so," a club spokesman told manutd.com.

According to the club, Owen will be unavailable until Boxing Day at the earliest when Wigan visit Old Trafford.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle player has rarely featured in United's league games this campaign and his current contract expires at the end of the season.

However, he has featured in the League Cup and scored two goals to help United beat Leeds 3-0 in the third round of the competition.

Owen signed a two-year deal with the Old Trafford club in 2009 having been available on a free transfer.

The striker then agreed to a new one-year extension last summer
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Jack Wilshere is a target for Real Madrid

ACK WILSHERE is a transfer target for Real Madrid.

The Arsenal and England ace features on a five-man list drawn up by the La Liga giants, who want to cherry-pick Europe's top prospects.

Emirates officials could now face another row with a Spanish club, following constant battles with Barcelona over their chasing of Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas.

Wilshere, 19, currently sidelined by a foot injury, signed a new five-year Gunners contract last year and has pledged his loyalty.

But Real are fed up with paying massive sums for stars at the peak of their careers. Cristiano Ronaldo cost £80million.

Instead, they want to sign a group of youngsters for between £20m and £30m and hope to bag all five by 2014.

Listed with Wilshere in Spanish sports paper Marca — closely linked to Real — are Barcelona B midfielder Rafinha, Athletic Bilbao winger Iker Muniain, Lille playmaker Eden Hazard and Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze.

Nani’s new deal to ward off Italy interest

NANI is to be given a mega pay rise by Manchester United to see off interest from Italy.

United plan to move the Portuguese winger, already on £90,000 a week, up to the next tier of their pay-scale alongside the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand on a reported £130,000 a week.

Both Milan clubs and Juventus are showing interest in a summer raid.

But United top brass have pencilled in talks with Nani's representatives for early in the New Year, when the 24-year-old has 18 months left on his contract.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson will resist any attempts to cash in on the £30million- rated star, who he signed from Sporting Lisbon for £18.5m in 2007.

That is likely to mean an improved four-year deal.

The Old Trafford chief is convinced Nani can develop along the same lines as Portugese legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lukasz Fabianski in showdown talks with Arsene Wenger

ARSENAL keeper Lukasz Fabianski may go out on loan to help his chances of getting to Euro 2012 with Poland.

He has played just twice this season — in the Carling Cup — and has staged showdown talks with boss Arsene Wenger.

Third-choice Manuel Almunia has already spent a stint on loan in the Championship at West Ham.

And asked if he could do the same, Fabianski, 26, said: "Yes, maybe.

"I had a chat with the boss a few days ago and it was quite an intensive one.

"It was me who asked to speak although we will have a few more chats.

"I want my situation to be resolved in the nearest future because I want to play at Euro 2012.

"I hope Wenger will understand me and we find a solution.

"I want to play for Arsenal but if not, I will have to go somewhere else, even if it is on loan."

Carlos Tevez will not return to Manchester

CARLOS TEVEZ is not planning a Manchester City return this week.

And Argy sources say the AWOL striker could be staying in South America indefinitely.

Tevez flew to Buenos Aires last week without the permission of his club.

He has already been fined a fortnight's wages for refusing to warm up in Munich and had been training away from the first team.

Now he faces another fine of around £500,000 for his latest misdemeanour but City think he may never come back.

Tevez has told friends his relationship with boss Roberto Mancini has broken down completely.

Mancini wants him to apologise before he can train again with the first team but Tevez is not prepared to do that.

Now it looks like he is not interested in playing football at all.

Tevez's advisors are refusing to say what the player is going to do next.

The Argentine striker — once dubbed the new Diego Maradona — has had almost as controversial a career as his hero.

First, there was the illegal third-party ownership issue when he was at West Ham. Then he had contract disputes while at Manchester United before walking out to join bitter rivals City.

He sparked fury at United when City put a billboard up in Deansgate of Tevez, with the words "Welcome to Manchester."

Dead Cert Man loses £30,000 bet

THE punter dubbed the Dead Cert Man was a Dead Loss yesterday — losing £30,000 on a UFC fighter bet.

He did a double on heavyweight Cain Velasquez beating Junior Dos Santos at 6-4 on and boxer Manny Pacquiao winning his world title fight with Juan Manuel Marquez at 9-1 on.

The 33-year-old Londoner, who won a fortune putting big money on odds-on favourites, stood to pick up £25,000 for a £30,000 stake.

Although Pacquiao won, Velasquez suffered a shock Ultimate Fighting Championship defeat.

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "It was a big relief for us."

Earlier this year the Dead Cert Man backed 26 winners on the trot.

Cesc Fabregas warns Robin van Persie over his Arsenal future

CESC FABREGAS last night warned Robin van Persie: If you don't quit Arsenal now you never will.

Gunners skipper RVP has put contract talks with the club on hold until the end of the season.

This has made the Gunners fear the Dutchman, 28, could be the next big name to walk away.

Fab, who left London to join boyhood idols Barcelona in the summer, said: "I don't know if they will keep him. It is his decision.

"At his age, if he wants to move it will be his last chance and if he wants to stay he will stay and retire at Arsenal."

Van Persie has just 18 months left on his current deal with the Gunners.

Fabregas said: "We will see what he decides but he's been very loyal to Arsenal for a few years. He is a key player, the fans love him.

"He is the role model of Arsenal, the star player and they cannot afford to lose him."

Van Persie has started the season like a house on fire, netting 13 goals in 13 starts.

Fab admitted: "He is having an amazing season. Hopefully he will be fit for the whole season.

"Unfortunately when I was there, he never enjoyed a whole season without injury."

Fab, 24, has started seven of Barca's 11 matches in La Liga this season, scoring five times.

He said: "It is like a dream."

Michael Chopra reveals £2m betting losses

pswich Town striker Michael Chopra has revealed the extent of his gambling addiction, estimating he has lost as much as £2m through betting.

The 27-year-old, who has been receiving treatment for the illness, says he was gambling as much as £20,000 a day.

And he has even admitted to playing with injuries in the past in order to collect his appearance fee.

"I have probably lost between £1.5m and £2m on gambling," he told Sky Sports News.

CHOPRA CAREER

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• Newcastle United (2002-06), three goals in 31 games
• Watford (loan 2003), five in six
• Nottingham Forest (loan 2004), none in five
• Barnsley (loan 2004-05), 17 in 42
• Cardiff (2006-07), 22 in 44
• Sunderland (2007-09), eight in 42
• Cardiff (loan 2008-09), nine in 27
• Cardiff (2009-11), 34 in 91
• Ipswich Town (2011-present), five in 14

"Your first bet's your worst bet. As the years have come along and I've earned more money I've started to gamble more.

"I was gambling up to £20,000 a day at times. As soon as I'd step over the white line I would focus on football - but as soon as I got to the dressing room I would check my phone to see if I'd won.

"As a gambler you want to be playing to get the appearance money. I was playing through injury to cover a debt."

Chopra, who has fought the addiction throughout the majority of his career, said his £5m transfer from Cardiff to Sunderland in 2007 was motivated by his desire to collect a signing on fee to pay off gambling arrears.

"In my first season at Cardiff I had a gambling debt from when I was at Newcastle," explained the former England Under-21 international.

"I had to leave Cardiff and sign for another team to pay that debt off."

Chopra, who has amassed 92 goals in 265 league games for Newcastle, Watford, Nottingham Forest, Barnsley, Cardiff, Sunderland and Ipswich, checked into the Sporting Chance rehabilitation clinic in early October.

But Ipswich boss Paul Jewell has said he will continue to play the forward, who insists he is focused on his career at Portman Road.

"The main thing now is to get promoted with Ipswich. They've backed me and I want to pay them back," he said.