AC Milan CRUSH Arsenal's hopes of signing Italy's World Cup star Mario Balotelli #TheElitePartyInJuly #IRepEntertain9jarBlog via @myentertain9jar

ARSENAL will be forced to look elsewhere after AC Milan ruled out a summer move for Italy star Mario Balotelli, just days after the Gunners missed out on Real Sociedad and Mexico striker Carlos Vela.

 

Mario Balotelli looks set to stay with Milan this summer[GETTY]

The former Manchester City man joined the Serie A outfit in January 2013, but has been tipped to make a Premier League return after Arsene Wenger revealed he is looking to provide competition for Olivier Giroud.

A fee of around £30million had been mooted for the 23-year-old, with Arsenal apparently ready to meet Milan's asking price, but it now appears that Wenger have to identify new targets after chief executive Adriano Galliani told his club's website Balotelli won't be plying his trade at the Emirates next season.

Speaking about Italy's shock World Cup exit he said: "Balotelli will remain at Milan.

 

Balotelli will remain at Milan

Adriano Galliani

"I don't like that it seems as though the national team lost due to Balotelli. Italy lost for other reasons.

"Balotelli has been the only striker who scored, others didn't have a shot on target.

"It's not understood why people only talk about Balotelli, when the national team had a coach, technical staff and 22 other players.

"Let's talk about the group. Now it seems the disappointment has been Balotelli. I don't understand this and I prefer avoiding other comments."