West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini has personally asked about the availability of Nice striker Mario Balotelli, according to Tutto Mercato Web.
The Italian outlet reports on their website that the Hammers are plotting a move for the former Premier League forward – who is on £4.4 million a year (€5 million), or £84,000-a-week – in case wantaway attacker Marko Arnautovic departs the club in this current transfer window.
The report adds that Serie A side Genoa are also keen on the 28-year-old this month, who has not been in action for the French club since December 4.
Good move for West Ham?
It may be a wise move to prepare for the potential exit of Arnautovic, but lining up Balotelli to replace him is not the greatest idea the club have had. The Italy international has not scored a single goal this season and has only appeared ten times for the Ligue One outfit. He was never the most prolific of strikers during his time at Manchester City and Liverpool, and his emotions are known to get the better of him on the pitch. This is one player that the Irons should definitely avoid like the plague.
This is Futbol rating: 2/10
Likely to happen?
No, it does not seem likely to happen at the moment. Pellegrini has only asked about his availability, which hardly means that a move is going to be on the cards any time soon. There is no guarantee that Arnautovic is going to leave West Ham this month either, which would make a raid for Balotelli essentially pointless. All in all, the likelihood of Balotelli moving to the London Stadium this month are very slim indeed.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10