The Turkish Super Lig is a viable option for footballers who are either down on their luck or past their prime, but it looks like even Turkish clubs won’t accept the 25-year-old, who was once regarded as one of the finest young strikers in the world.
Italian forward Mario Balotelli was once considered to be the next big thing among strikers. But his fortunes have dipped drastically since then, with current club Liverpool desperate to get him off their books, after his loan spell with AC Milan expired this summer..
In this respect Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola has been trying to engineer a move to the Turkish Super Lig, where the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Lukas Podolski, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder are currently plying their trade.
“I offered Mario to Besiktas and I’m waiting for their answer,’’ Raiola told Turkish media, according to the Guardian.
“But I’m quite sure the transfer will happen as the president already assured me in the past that he would do everything he can to sign him.’’
The Turkish club were quick to respond to Balotelli’s agent’s statement, with sporting director Erdal Torunogullari stating they have no interest in signing the striker.
“We know Raiola well,” he said, according to the Mirror. “He’s even said Balotelli will go to Besiktas, but it’s not like that. We’re not interested, our priority is to hold on to Mario Gomez,” he added.
What’s next for bad boy Balotelli?
Mario Balotelli scored 3 goals in 23 appearances, got on AC Milan’s then manager Sinisa Mihajlovic’s nerves and even managed to throw his current club Liverpool under the bridge, in a season that did nothing to change his image as a footballer more prone to controversy than on-field brilliance.
While the former Internazionale and Manchester City player was one of the highest rated young players in the world, a few years ago, his fortunes have plummeted in the past few years. His past two seasons since being brought in by Liverpool have been a disaster, with him scoring only 8 goals in 51 games. The most viable option for Balotelli now looks to be the Chinese Super League, who are looking for big names to increase the stature of their league and don’t mind paying big.
