Liverpool Transfer Rumour: Mario Balotelli on the verge of move to Ligue 1 side Nice
According to reports, Italian striker Mario Balotelli could be on his way out of Anfield on the last day of the transfer window, with French Club Nice in pole position to secure his signature from Liverpool.
Last Saturday, Ligue 1 club OGC Nice’s President Jean-Pierre Rivere asked a gathering of journalists, “Do you have Balotelli’s number? Call him and tell him we need a striker in Nice.”
It now appears that Rivere’s prayers have been answered, as all signs are now pointing towards a potential move to the French League for Mario Balotelli.
Amid reports of Balotelli potentially moving to Nice, the Italian maverick was pictured outside Manchester’s famous San Carlo restaurant in the company of friends, in what seemed like a farewell for the striker.
Hugs and photographs aplenty, Mario appeared to be in a light mood. This represents his last chance to fulfil the potential he has shown in the last few seasons.
According to reports, Nice have been enquiring about Balotelli’s services for the last two weeks and would prefer to take him on loan from Liverpool, where he has scored only 4 goals in 28 appearances.
If this is not an option, Nice would then want Liverpool to pay a majority of Balotelli’s wages for the season. There is interest for the Italian striker from Serie A side Palermo, but that move is unlikely to take place unless a dramatic change of events was to ensue.
Having been told to train away from the Liverpool squad by manager Jurgen Klopp’s instructions, Balotelli has no chance of an opportunity at the Merseyside club.
Balotelli’s “best” moment in a Liverpool shirt came when he scored the winner in a 3-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur during Brendan Rodgers’ second last season in charge of the Reds.
Signed as a last ditch option to replace Luis Suarez in 2014, it is safe to say that Balotelli has lived up to none of the optimistic expectations Reds fans had of him when he was brought in to the club for £16 million.
Several sides had reportedly turned down the chance to sign Balotelli earlier in the transfer window, with his agent Mino Raiola meeting Seria A side Sassuolo and French side Monaco to push through a move for his client. He now has a mountain to climb in order to resurrect his club and national team career.