Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has explained the causes behind forward Stevan Jovetić's departure as he looks to finalise a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan.
25-year-old Jovetić has returned to Italy, where he spent five years with Fiorentina, to complete a medical on Tuesday ahead of a €15million move which sees a frustrating career in the Premier League come to an end.
Pellegrini praises the departing player
Now, while manager Pellegrini claims to have had no doubts over the Montenegro striker's ability, the 61-year-old admitted that Jovetić's injury proneness left him without any real future with the Premier League runners-up.
“Unfortunately, Stevan had to go," the manager said in an interview with City's official website.
“He's a very good player - one of the best players I have seen - but for him he had too many injuries and that's why he couldn't play too many games in a row.
“I wish him the best for the future and I'm sure he'll be a very important player for Inter.”
After scoring 27 goals in the final two seasons of a five-year spell with 'La Viola' Fiorentina, Jovetić moved to City in 2013 in a deal reportedly worth around £22million to the Florence club.
Inconsistent form, consistent injuries
He scored his first goals just ten days after his debut in a 5-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic in the League Cup, but went on to make just 16 appearances in all competitions in the 2013/14 season as a succession of calf and hamstring problems left him watching City's title triumph largely from the stands.
Last season brought more appearances - 23 in all - but fewer goals, his meagre tally of six dropping short of the five he had managed in his debut season in English football.
He also suffered the ignominy of being in both of City's starting elevens as they were dumped out of the Capital One Cup and FA Cup at home by Newcastle United and Middlesbrough respectively.
According to The Guardian, Inter will initially take Jovetić on a season-long loan deal with a £2million fee, before the Serie A side are compelled to complete his purchase next summer.