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'It would've been smarter for me... but I followed my heart': Mario Balotelli was on verge of joining Juventus after leaving Manchester City but striker reveals allure of playing for AC Milan proved too strong to ignore

Mario Balotelli has opened up on how he vetoed a move to Juventus in 2013 when he was sold by Manchester City.

The controversial Italian striker was leaving the Etihad Stadium following a three-year spell in which he helped them win the Premier League with the assist for that end-of-season clincher by Sergio Aguero against Queens Park Rangers.

There was plenty of interest to take the striker back to Italy and it appeared Juventus were on the verge of capturing Balotelli that summer, before the player stepped in to re-route himself to Milan.