Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has dismissed speculation linking striker Mario Balotelli with a move away from Etihad Stadium.

The much-maligned striker, whose career at City has been filled with on and off-field misdemeanours, has been tipped to join AC Milan during the January transfer window.

But Mancini, who brought Balotelli to Manchester after previously managing him at Inter Milan, has insisted the 22-year-old is going nowhere.

"It is not true, Mario stays here. We didn't have any requests about Mario or other players," he told a press-conference ahead of City's fourth-round FA Cup tie with Stoke.

When asked whether Balotelli was in his future plans, Mancini said: "Yes, Mario has another three years on his contract."