Al-Arabi head coach Gianfranco Zola has urged Liverpool FC flop Mario Balotelli to consider a move to Qatar.
Following his a 20 million (A?16m) move from AC Milan . last summer, Mario Balotelli has struggled at Liverpool FC. The player has been linked with a possible exit to Sampdoria and Bologna.
Much was expected of Balotelli at Anfield, but, the player was perhaps a square peg in a round hole in the system at Liverpool FC.
He struggled to get in the team and made only 10 starts in the league scoring just once a a winner against Tottenham Hotspur.
Zola “recommends” Qatar to Balotelli
Former Chelsea FC star and West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has suggested a spell in Qatar at Al-Arabi may give the Liverpool FC forward an opportunity to re-launch his career.
“Cassano and Balotelli? They are two top players, and it could be an excellent opportunity for them to play in a league with less scrutiny, recharge their batteries, and return to Europe as protagonists,” Zola told Gazzetta Dello Sport.
“I’d recommend it as an experience. We have a lot of players, but if I had the opportunity [to sign them] I’d so it without a second thought.”
As per ESPN FC, Zola tried to sign the Liverpool FC forward in 2009 when he was the manager of West Ham.
Balotelli certain to leave, but wages a problem.
Balotelli is certain to leave Anfield, and Liverpool Echo reporter James Pearce was quoted saying:
a I would be absolutely amazed if Mario Balotelli was still a Liverpool player on the first day of next season. You only have to look at how fleetingly he was used last season to see where he stands.a
a I certainly expect Balotelli to move, possibly to Sampdoria, but Liverpool may struggle to get even half of what they paid for him (A?16m).a
And while Liverpool FC may settle for a loss on the player, his wages, reportedly 6 million Euro per season, could be a stumbling block for any side who wishes to secure his services.
With Euro 2016 in the summer following the 2015-16 season, Balotelli would want to start firing again and cannot afford to spend another season on the bench at Liverpool FC.