- Mario Balotelli’s contract with Nice will expire at the end of the season
- The 27-year-old is keen for returns to the Premier League and Serie A
- His agent, Mino Raiola, rated him as one of the best strikers in the world
- Raiola said: ‘He’s worth £88m, but he’s on a free transfer and is a bargain’
Mario Balotelli is set to return to the Premier League this summer after his agent, Mino Raiola, revealed he has held talks with a number of English clubs.
The 27-year-old, who had spells at Manchester City and Liverpool between 2010 and 2016, will be out of contract at current club Nice at the end of the season and is set to depart the Ligue 1 club.
According to The Mirror, Raiola has valued the Italian striker at £88million and therefore ‘a bargain’ as he will leave for free in the summer.
Mario Balotelli has ‘matured’ and is ready for Premier League return, according to his agent
‘Mario is ready to return (to the Premier League), 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.’
Raiola’s insistence of Balotelli’s maturity is reflected by his client’s words last month.
‘If I’m honest: I expected to be back in Azzurro (Italian national team),’ he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
‘I’ve matured, I’m 27 and I have two children. The time for [messing around with] girls has long gone.
‘Italy, France or England? I’m someone who lives on edge.’
Mino Raiola (right) has revealed he is in talks with a number of English clubs over a deal
Balotelli’s time in England was very much a mixed bag it’s fair to say, scoring 30 goals in 80 matches for City in all competitions before underwhelming the Anfield faithful with just four in 28.
His goal-return in France has been much more prolific – with 39 in 59 – and while Balotelli may be keen to prove a point with a return to English football, Raiola has also suggested a return to Serie A is on the cards as well.
‘I’m negotiating with many clubs in England and in Italy. I’ve spoken with Juventus, Roma, Napoli and Inter,’ Raiola added.
A return to Liverpool or City specifically is unlikely considering the form of both their current respective front lines and it is tough to see Balotelli doing the unthinkable by joining Manchester United, having played for their two most bitter of rivals after-all.
Balotelli would leave for free in the summer and is ‘therefore a bargain’ according to Raiola
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