Mario Balotelli had been sold to AC Milan, reports claim. The Italian striker has been one of the most controversial players in the league since he joined The Citizens from AC’s rivals, Inter Milan in 2010.

The cost of the transfer is believed to be £19 million, rising to £22 million, under the £24 million that City originally paid for him. Since then however he has been involved in some the footballing world’s most recognisable and barmy stories.

Nobody knows which of the tales are true, they range from giving a tramp £1000 to crashing an £100,000 Audi a week after he bought it. What is definitely true however is that Mario will be sorely missed by City fans.

All this comes a few weeks after pictures emerged of manager Roberto Mancini grappling with ‘Super Mario’ on the training ground. Reports later suggested this may have been the point where things went too far and Mancini realised his young prodigy could not be tamed.

But when the stories are forgotten, when that tramp has spent his £1000, when Rio Ferdinand has finally calmed down after Balotelli winked at him, Manchester City fans will remember Mario, on the ground in the 95th minute on the last game of the season, toe poking the ball to Sergio Aguero to secure them their first title in 44 years. However much controversy he caused, in that one moment, it was all worth it.

Don’t forget to place your bets on this weekend’s Premier League fixtures, as clubs scramble to gain points and sign players as January comes to a close.