- The former Italy international was last linked to a club in Spain’s third division
- 34-year-old left Turkish Super Lig outfit Adana Demirspor at the end of last term
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Mario Balotelli has claimed that he would ‘smash’ a potential return to Serie A as he looks for what would be the 12th club of his storied career.
The former Manchester City man has been without a side since leaving Turkish Super Lig outfit Adana Demirspor over the summer as a free agent.
During his time in Turkey, Balotelli scored seven goals in 16 games and is thought to be seeking another challenge before calling time on playing professional football.
Mail Sport reported at the start of the month that he was reviewing an offer from Alicante-based team CF Intercity in the third tier of Spanish football.
But the former Italy international has hinted that he may be more interested in a move closer to home.
Mario Balotelli became incensed when his level was questioned on a recent Twitch stream
Streamer Enerix received the short shrift from Balotelli when he compared him unfavourably to Venezia’s Joel Pohjanpalo
The 34-year-old moved on from Turkish Super Lig side Adana Demirspor at the start of summer
Discussing his career on streamer Enerix’s Twitch channel, Balotelli grew incensed when he was compared to footballers plying their trade in Serie A.
When Enerix argued that Joel Pohjanpalo – who currently played for Venezia – was more sensible pick for a newly promoted side that Balotelli, the former Inter Milan star queried: ‘What the f*** are you saying?
‘Just because I wasn’t in Serie A (in recent years), what I did doesn’t count? F*** off, you and Serie A.
‘It’s a promise, I’ll smash Serie A when I sign (for a new club), I’ll smash this f****** Serie A.’
As per Football Italia, Balotelli has recently thought to have been linked to a move to Genoa.
Manager Alberto Gilardino is believed to have reached out to the 34-year-old in a bid to feel out a move to the northern Italian side.
The last time Balotelli played in the Italian top flight came in 2019, when he returned to his hometown club Brescia
The former Manchester City star spent just one season at the club before they were relegated
Should Balotelli return to his mother country, his arrival in the Italian top flight would mark the first time that the forward had playing in the league since his turn at Brescia during the 2019-20 season.
The player signed a multi-year deal with his hometown club on a free transfer, but failed to stay longer than his first campaign after the side were relegated to Serie B.
