Mario Balotelli’s agent hints the Milan striker is interested in Arsenal transfer

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/17/mario-balotelli-agent-milan-arsenal-transfer

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Mario Balotelli’s agent has suggested his client may be interested in a move to Arsenal after the World Cup.

Mino Raiola, who also represents Zlatan Ibrahimovic, said that the Milan striker is out of most team’s price range – but would not rule out a transfer for the Italy forward, who scored the winner against England last Saturday.

“Arsenal are a fantastic club,” Raiola told Sky Sports when questioned about reports in the British press linking Balotelli with a move to London.

“Only eight or 10 clubs in the world can afford Mario Balotelli – like all premium players, and he is one of the greatest.” As to whether the move will happen, he said: “Anything is possible.”

Arsenal will be wearing new strips from Puma in the 2014-15 season and the kit manufacturers also sponsor Balotelli, leading some to suggest that the German company may be pushing for the move – and willing to part-fund the transfer.

It is believed the racist abuse that the 23-year-old has been subject to in Italy may be behind his desire to return to England, and his reappearance in the Premier League would be welcomed by many. The striker again showcased his sense of humour this week, with his Panini sticker album filled with pictures of himself, and the temperament that caused so much trouble at Manchester City is said to have been calmed since his engagement to Fanny Neguesha.

Arsenal are in need of a striker to support Olivier Giroud, who struggled in the latter part of last season, with only the unproven Yaya Sanogo as backup. Joel Campbell will return to the club after the Costa Rica striker’s impressive performances in the 2013-14 season for Olympiakos, and in Brazil at the World Cup, but another top-level forward is still required for Arsène Wenger’s FA Cup winners to challenge at the top of the Premier League.