“?Former Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was reportedly on the verge of signing for Serie A side Palermo for €20m before signing for French team OGC Nice on a free transfer this summer.
The Italian international has finally made a permanent move away from Anfield after a troubled few years at the club, but sparked a minor transfer saga after Palermo had reportedly had an offer accepted for the 26-year-old, and according to “?Football Italia, Palermo Vice-President Guglielmo Micciche suggested the ball was in Liverpool’s court on August 28th.
“We made an offer [for Balotelli],” said Micciche, “and now it’s up to Liverpool and the player. He was born in Palermo and we consider him Sicilian.
“He would be welcomed with open arms and adored by the fans. It would be a dream.”
It had been suggested by Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato that Balotelli was open to joining the club, however, the deal was said to have broken down 24 hours later, and the former Manchester City player signed for the Ligue 1 side Nice days later for nothing, ending his two-year-stint at the Merseyside club.
See How Mario Balotelli Almost Joined Palermo https://t.co/5Ah2sDN5mH pic.twitter.com/fA3WS4Xuil
Various reports have been rumoured as to why Balotelli refused to join the Italian side, with another Italian news outlet, “?Gazetta Dello Sport, reporting that Palermo had only offered Balotelli a £16,000-per-week contract, while the Italian was looking for a wage bracket closer to £70,000, which Nice agreed to pay the striker.
Balotelli has gone on to make his debut for the Ligue 1 side, scoring twice in a 3-2 victory against Olympique Marseille, including a seventh minute converted penalty, resulting in him already having a drink named after him in local bars surrounding the city.
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