Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola, has claimed that the Italian may extend his contract with the club.

"Mario is well in Manchester and perhaps he'll extend his contract. My feeling is that it won't be easy for him to return to Serie A. He is too ''big'' for Italy," said Raiola.

Raiola also advised Italian clubs to maintain their distance from Balotelli since he would be too expensive for them.

AC Milan and Napoli have been linked with plans to acquire Balotelli in the past, The Sun reports.

"If Inter and AC Milan have difficulties in finding pounds 25m to invest on Tevez, how can they pay pounds 50m or pounds 60m for Balotelli? This is the value of Balotelli, he's No 1," he added. Balotelli joined City from AC Milan in August 2010 and still has three years left in his current contract.