Is Balotelli Chelsea's answer to Drogba?

Manchester City are set to beat Chelsea to capture Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao as they line up a club-record £45 million bid for the Colombian star.

City manager Roberto Mancini wants to get rid of Mario Balotelli after becoming increasingly exasperated by the controversial Italian's performances and work ethic.

In the latest incident, he was seen partying 12 hours before Sunday's game against Tottenham, The Sun (https://bit.ly/UDIGeu) reported in an exclusive.

Balotelli was seen entering the Panacea Restaurant in Alderley Edge at 1am - with City kicking off at 1.30pm against Spurs that afternoon.

The Italian, 22, watched the match from the stands.

Balotelli had been axed from the City squad the previous day and told he was not required at the team hotel that night, the report added.

But he could still have been needed had one of the other three strikers been taken ill.

Mancini is now ready to listen to offers from both Milan clubs.

Colombian Falcao will cost City £45m - dwarfing the £38m they paid Atletico for Sergio Aguero.

Chelsea are also eyeing Falcao, who has hit 49 goals in 60 Atletico appearances.

On the other hand the Blues could make a swoop for Balotelli who could be the next Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge.

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