Roma boss Eusebio Di Francesco keen to manage Mario Balotelli amid Roma links
Posted Monday, March 05, 2018 by squawka.com
Eusebio Di Francesco said he is willing to sign Mario Balotelli, a player the Roma manager feels has "huge" potential.
The Italian forward's contract with Nice expires in June, at which point he will become a free agent. It is claimed talks have been held with Juventus, Napoli, Inter and Roma over a possible move.
Balotelli has scored 21 goals for Nice this season and is in good form. The 27-year-old has had spells at Inter, Manchester City, AC Milan and Liverpool to differing levels of success. A disappointing term at Anfield, where he scored one league goal, led him to join Nice on a free transfer in 2016.
The Roma head coach Di Francesco, who was appointed last summer, has now expressed his interest in signing the player.
"I'd coach him, I spoke to him two years ago about bringing him to Sassuolo, but nothing came of it. He's a player with huge potential," said Di Francesco, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Mario Balotelli has now scored 40 goals in all competitions for Nice since joining them in 2017.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 15, 2018
The first time he has ever scored 40 goals for a single club. pic.twitter.com/DBGNqX5fn3
"Mario Balotelli is worth 100 million euros"
Raiola, Balotelli's agent, stated earlier in the week that he had begun talks with Roma over the possibility of a deal.
"I've spoken with Juventus, Roma, Napoli and Inter," said Raiola.
"Mario is ready to return, he has matured into one of the top 10 strikers in the world.
"In Italy he's number one. He's worth 100 million euros, but he's on a free transfer and is therefore a bargain.
"I'm already negotiating with many clubs in England and in Italy. I've spoken with Juve, Roma, Napoli and Inter."
Roma most recently registered a thrilling 4-2 win over Napoli, who hold onto the slimmest of leads atop Serie A as Juventus remain one point behind in second but with a game in hand.
"We need to pick up results because the more we keep going like this, the less chance we have of getting back in the Champions League places," added Di Francesco.
Roma next play Torino at home on Friday before their second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League the following week.
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