Marco Branca, the Internazionale technical director, has said that Manchester United and Manchester City have expressed "very strong" interest in the striker Mario Balotelli. Branca also said Balotelli was not for sale.

The 20-year-old played for the City manager, Roberto Mancini, when he was manager of Inter.

The Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport said United directors had met Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola, in Amsterdam on Monday to discuss a €35m (£29m) bid. There have been reports that City will hold a similar meeting this week.

Branca told Sky Italia: "We are in a very privileged position having won so much and it's true that every day we are receiving calls because everyone wants at least six or seven of our champions.

"Balotelli is priceless. At this time, he and [the Brazil defender] Maicon are not on the market. When and if there are requests, we will kindly examine them but they are not on the market.

"The interest in Balotelli from both Manchester clubs is real and very strong, but has not reached an official offer. There will be no meeting with City on Thursday.

"Fans can rest easy – great people like Ibra [Zlatan Ibrahimovic] and [José] Mourinho are gone, but we have a great new staff and no one is bigger than the club. Even Balotelli."

Earlier this week, Rafael Benítez, the new Internazionale manager after Mourinho's move to Real Madrid, said: "At this point, these players are Inter players and I am happy with them because both are quality players."