The end of the football season is in sight, all the excuse needed for some agents to start talking up their client’s chances of big, money-spinning moves.
Step forward Mino Raiola, a man who’s done pretty well in recent years when it comes to helping some of the players he works for find new clubs.
Raiola reportedly earned a decent wedge of money when Paul Pogba returned to Manchester United in 2016. He’s also thought to have taken a cut of the fee which saw Romelu Lukaku move to Old Trafford from Everton a year later.
Mario Balotelli, another of the high-profile footballers Raiola represents, is also in line for a change of clubs this summer. This time, however, there’ll be no big money fee changing hands. The Italian international’s current deal with Nice is due to expire in the summer, meaning he’s eligible to move for free.
Quoted in The Mirror, Raiola reckons there’ll be no shortage of potential suitors for Balotelli, who he claims is now one of the best strikers in the world.
“Mario is ready to return, he has matured into one of the top 10 strikers in the world,” he said.
“In Italy he’s number one. He’s worth €100million (£88m), but he’s on a free transfer and is therefore a bargain.”
As well as the top clubs in Italy, Raiola also revealed that a Premier League return is also possible for the 27-year-old, who has already played for Manchester City and Liverpool earlier in his career.
“I’m negotiating with many clubs in England and in Italy. I’ve spoken with Juventus, Roma, Napoli and Inter.”
