What’s this? A Mino Raiola client wanting to move somewhere else? Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
A week on from all those stories linking Paul Pogba with a move away from Manchester United, it now seems Mino Raiola could be focusing his efforts on getting Mario Balotelli a move away from Nice.
The Italian striker joined the French club two years ago. Prior to this, he represented both Milan clubs as well as having spells in England with Manchester City and Liverpool.
Having not featured for his club in their Ligue 1 game with Reims at the weekend, Patrick Vieira, the new Nice manager, confirmed it’s likely Balotelli will be moving on before the close of the transfer window, making clear he intends to help him find a new club.
“The player wants to leave,” the former Arsenal midfielder told Canal+. “It’s unlikely he’ll remain here.”
“We want players whose desire it is to go forward with the club.
“It’s a very complicated and difficult situation, so the club will try to do whatever is possible to help him leave.”
News that Balotelli is seeking a move comes months after he earned a recall for his national side. Despite not featuring to the Azzurri since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the 28-year-old was selected by his former City boss Roberto Mancini, in his first squad as Italy manager.
Balotelli started the friendly against Saudi Arabia at the end of May, marking the occasion by scoring the only goal of the game after 20 minutes.
His Italy recall sparked some rumours that he might be set to return to Serie A. However, after he was strongly linked with a move to Marseille recently, it seems Balotelli might prolong his stay in the south of France.
