Roberto Mancini admitted being ‘so sad’ to lose Mario Balotelli after the striker’s colourful and often chaotic career in English football ended with a £19.5million move to AC Milan.
Mancini said: 'We are so sad because Mario was an important player for us. With Mario we won the Premier League and the FA Cup in two years.'
He added: 'He’s a fantastic player but it’s important for Mario to go back to Italy. It will be a good chance for him to stay with his family, to play for Milan. I think he can improve and I’m happy he will become one of the best players in the world.
'Mario was like another one of my children. You can be upset with him sometimes, but I really couldn’t care.'
The draw at QPR leaves the reigning champions four points adrift of leaders Manchester United, who could extend that further against Southampton on Wednesday.
'Mario was like another one of my children. You can be upset with him sometimes, but I really couldn’t care.'
'Milan started to talk to Manchester City in the last two days and they are very close.
'This is for Mario because we love Mario and he deserves to have this chance.'
The draw at QPR leaves the reigning champions four points adrift of leaders Manchester United, who could extend that further against Southampton on Wednesday.
'It is difficult because I lost one important striker and that could be important in the next 14 games,' Mancini said.
'The club told me they had this from Milan. I spoke with Mario and I think he wanted this.
'I think for him after three years in England to come back to Italy will be good for him.'
City manager Mancini, whose team are four points behind leaders Manchester United, admitted his former keeper at Inter Milan is still top drawer. Mancini said: 'Julio is a top-class keeper, we knew that.'
Redknapp said he is in for ‘two late nights’ as QPR chase the signatures of Peter Crouch and Christopher Samba before the transfer window closes.
Crouch began his league career at QPR and Stoke are ready to accept £5million plus Jamie Mackie but talks are ongoing over a contract that would include a drop in salary if they go down.
QPR are negotiating with Anzhi Makhachkala for defender Samba and with Toulouse over a £10m deal plus Samba Diakite for Etienne Capoue. They have agreed a deal with Porto for defender Rolando, 27.
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