Despite now being set to sign for Marseille, Mario Balotelli could have ended up at West Ham.
At least, that’s what members of the Italian press wanted you to believe towards the end of last week and on Tuesday, claiming the Hammers were pushing for the Nice striker to replace Arnautovic.
L’Equipe on Wednesday, now safe in the knowledge the Italy international will stay in Ligue 1, claimed these were just games being played by the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, to put pressure on Marseille.
Gazzetta dello Sport, on the other hand, stand by their story, and firmly believe West Ham did make a last minute push, but a major obstacle stood in their way: Marko Arnautovic.
They explain the only way they could have brought in Balotelli was if the Austrian left, and since that hasn’t happened yet, a move to Marseille was agreed to avoid ‘unnecessary waiting’.
However, all hope isn’t lost, as there’s always next summer.
West Ham have already said they would let Arnautovic leave if the ‘deal was right’, and that’s likelier to come at the end of the season when they have more time to find a replacement.
As for Balotelli, his contract with Marseille is only expected to be for the next six months, meaning he will already legally be able talk to other clubs about a move in June as soon as he signs.
Do you see where this is heading?
A lot will depend on what happens during the second half of the season, as a poor run of form could see his stock fall, but there’s also a chance for the complete opposite to happen, with a purple patch sending him back in the books of some bigger clubs, such as a few in the Premier League.
