Rumour: Arsenal meet with Mario Balotelli's agent

Arsene Wenger has reportedly met with the agent of Mario Balotelli as he weighs up a summer move for the controversial AC Milan forward, according to the Metro.

Balotelli hinted he could be open to a return to the Premier League after a brief spell with Manchester City, amid reports he is unsatisfied with life in Milan after a disastrous season for the Italian giants.

Arsenal are in the market for a forward with Olivier Giroud being the only trusted striker at the club and a move for Balotelli has been heavily mooted, with Wenger now having held talks with his representatives over a potential transfer at the end of the season.

The link originally came after Puma signed a deal to become Arsenal’s new kit sponsors as of next season, with the sportswear giants also being Balotelli’s official sportswear sponsor.

And now Mino Riola, Balotelli’s agent has held talks with Arsene Wenger, with reports claiming that talks were positive and both parties are hopeful a deal can be tied up for the Italian forward to strut his stuff at the Emirates for the 2014/15 season.

AC Milan are in no hurry to sell their star striker, but an offer of £25 million could tempt them to part ways with Balotelli with Arsenal willing to meet that asking price in order to strengthen the one weak area of their squad.

Balotelli has nine goals from 17 appearances with a distinctly average conversion rate of 11.8%. Olivier Giroud’s ten goals come with a conversion rate of 16.4%.