AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi apologises for calling Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli 'a rotten apple' At last week's Ballon d'Or ceremony, Berlusconi had told reporters: "The name of Balotelli never came into my thoughts, he is a rotten apple and could infect every group where he goes, even Milan." Milan appeared to be freeing up funds in a bid to capture the Italy international, a self-professed Rossoneri fan, by selling Alexandre Pato and Robinho to Corinthians and Santos respectively. The former completed a €15 million move but talks over Robinho's return to Brazil fell through, leaving Milan with four senior strikers and insufficient resources to prise Balotelli away from City for a reported asking price of £25 million. The Serie A club could still move for Empoli defender Riccardo Saponara or World Cup winner Cristian Zaccardo of Parma, though. When asked whether Milan were likely to bolster their squad before the end of the current transfer window, Berlusconi tried hard to keep his own counsel. "I hope so," he added. I am pestering Galliani because there are a few players I would like us to sign, ones we could bring in by the end of January. I won't name names, I've been told not to. Galliani told me, 'President, don't name names if you want us to succeed'.