Mario Balotelli has been linked to a number of clubs this summer, including a few Chinese, Turkey, and Italian clubs, but it now seems he could be heading to France.
Reports in the English media continue to link Balotelli with a move to OGC Nice, but things might be a bit complicated.
RMC Sport in France confirm rumours that Mario Balotelli arrived in Nice on Thursday evening on a private jet to hold discussions with the Ligue 1 club.
RMC Sport say Balotelli is expected to meet OGC Nice’s president, Jean-Pierre Rivère, and other club officials on Friday. Balotelli, however, would have to convince the club officials that he really wants to join the club, and that there is a genuine mutual interest.
OGC Nice’s president, Jean-Pierre Rivère, believes the club could help Balotelli revive his career, just like Hatem Ben Arfa.
He said: “They didn’t call us to make us an offer. We’re looking for a striker and therefore the rumour mill is free to start. Balotelli is one name among others. I would like to calm this clamour, it’s not something that’s active.
“Would we take Balotelli? I believe that you should never close a door in life. He’s a player I don’t know, above all I know his reputation.
“If I took him, people would say ‘that’s it, President Rivère has gone mad’. Except if I’d listened to the press I’d never have gone for Claude Puel, the same for [Hatem] Ben Arfa
“That said, just because it went well with Hatem last year it doesn’t mean we can reproduce that every year.”
Liverpool will be hoping that everything goes down well in France, as they’re desperate to offload Balotelli this summer.
