Arsenal Transfer News: Mario Balotelli 'To Begin Season At AC Milan'

Arsenal and Liverpool look set to miss out on Mario Balotelli after AC Milan manager Filippo Inzaghi said the striker would be joining the Rossoneri for pre-season.

Balotelli has been linked with a move away from the San Siro and a return to the Premier League since Barbara Berlusconi, Milan's vice-president and daughter of president Silvio Berlusconi, said the Italy international was "replaceable".

This alerted both the Gunners and the Reds, both of whom are looking to increase their fire power in the summer transfer window.

But Inzaghi, who replaced Clarence Seedorf as Milan boss in June, has insisted the 23-year-old talisman will start the Serie A season in the famous red and black shirt.

"Mario will return with willingness on the 21st (of July) and will come with us to the United States," Inzaghi told Italian TV station Sportmediaset.

The former Manchester City fans' favourite scored 30 goals in 54 matches for Milan since his move from the Etihad in January 2013.

But last season ended in disappointment for Balotelli and Milan as he notched just 14 goals in 30 league appearances as Milan failed to qualify for European football for the first time in 16 years.

Silvio Berlusconi revealed he even came close to sanctioning a move for Balotelli to a Premier League club before the World Cup.

Berlusconi told Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this month: "I was about to sell Balotelli to an English team for several millions. But after this World Cup who will buy him any more?"

Liverpool are sitting on money they received for Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan moved to Barcelona for a reputed £75 million.

The Anfield club wants to fill the void left by Suarez but lost out to Arsenal for Chelian forward Alexis Sanchez, who chose a move to London over Merseyside and it now seems as though Balotelli is also out of Brendan Rodgers' reach.