Image:Mario Balotelli: Speculation of a strike partnership with Napoli frontman Edison Cavani
Roberto Mancini's assistant Fausto Salsano has backed Mario Balotelli to stay at Manchester City amid talk of a link-up with Edison Cavani
Mancini's number two rubbishes striker's move away from Etihad
Roberto Mancini's assistant Fausto Salsano has backed Mario Balotelli to remain at Manchester City amid speculation of a strike partnership with Napoli frontman Edison Cavani.
Cavani and Balotelli met on Tuesday as Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 and will come face-to-face once more in the crunch UEFA Champions League game between City and Napoli just a week later.
Cavani was quoted as saying he and Balotelli 'would make a good partnership' and he would be happy for the City striker to join him at the Stadio San Paolo.
Future
Balotelli has pledged his future to the blue side of Manchester numerous times and Salsano believes the Italian forward will be a City player for the foreseeable future.
"Honestly I don't think Balotelli and Cavani can play together," Salsano said.
"Mario is doing very well. He is an important player for us and will stay at City for a long time.
"He has said he wants to do well in Manchester and so I think he'll be playing for us for some time."
Napoli have confirmed City have registered interest in midfielder Marek Hamsik, Argentinian striker Ezequiel Lavezzi as well as Cavani.
However the Italian club are unlikely to want to unload three of their most influential players.
