Mario Balotelli wants Micah Richards at AC Milan?

Italian giants AC Milan will reportedly challenge Liverpool for the signing of Manchester City defender Micah Richards this summer.

The 25-year-old is believed to be on the verge of ending his 13-year stay at the club in the coming months after rejecting a contract extension to stay at the Etihad Stadium.

The Reds are said to harbour an interest in the England international after seeing a loan bid rejected in January but, according to The Mirror, former teammate Mario Balotelli has lobbied for his arrival at the San Siro.

With Richards's existing deal set to expire in 2015, City are said to be interested in cashing in on their youth product in the summer transfer window rather than losing him for free.