Homesick Mario Balotelli wants to leave Manchester City

Italian striker Mario Balotelli, who joined Manchester City just five months before, wants to leave the club as he is homesick after failing to settle in Manchester.

He has cut a miserable figure since making a £24 million switch from Inter Milan and has revealed to those close to him that he wants to return home to Italy.

Balotelli has no issues with manager Roberto Mancini who has done everything to help the player settle into his new surroundings.

He has failed to strike up any sort of a relationship with his teammates on or off the pitch, The Sun reports.

Mancini said, "If Mario deserves to play he will play, if he doesn't deserve to play he doesn't play. If Mario doesn't work, he doesn't play. Mario is a special player but you have to put strength and heart into your performances as well.

"I do not know why he does not look happy. He is in a fantastic team playing in probably the best league in the world. Manchester is not like Milan but he has to accept it."

Balotelli accepts it will be difficult to leave in January but will look to get away in the summer.