Mario Balotelli "has changed radically" since returning to Italy this summer, says AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani.

While with Liverpool last season and previously with Manchester City, the eccentric striker has been renowned as much for his off-the-pitch antics than his play on it, but Galliani insists Balotelli has turned over a new leaf since he last played from Milan in 2014.

"He has an extraordinary attitude, he's changed radically," Galliani said. "He's the first to arrive at [the training centre] and the last to leave.

"Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic often wants the players to have breakfast at 8:30 a.m., and he's always there before 8.

"He's probably realised that this is his last chance and I'm sure he won't waste it. His technical ability has never been in question.

"If he continues with the approach he's had in this first week then he'll be fine."

Mario Balotelli will not waste his chance at AC Milan, says Adriano Galliani. AP Photo/Luca Bruno

Speaking a day after the transfer window closed in Italy, Galliani also said Milan could not complete a deal with Zenit St Petersburg for Axel Witsel.

"We tried for Witsel," Galliani said. "We'd have had to spend more than €25 million, we were hoping to take him on loan with an option to buy, not an obligation, but it wasn't possible.

"It was a long transfer campaign, with eight players brought in, in addition to two Primavera players in [Davide] Calabria and [Gianluigi] Donnarumma who have graduated to the first team.

"Philippe Mexes? There was a negotiation, but it didn't go through."