Transfer Centre

Sampdoria president confirms Mario Balotelli interest

By Barney Corkhill, Editor
Published: 05 July 2016 4:28 PM

Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero offers Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli the chance to revive his career at the Serie A outfit.

Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has revealed that he is interested in signing Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli this summer.

Balotelli spent last season on loan at AC Milan, but the Serie A outfit decided not to extend his stay at San Siro and he has now returned to pre-season training with Liverpool.

However, the 25-year-old is widely expected to leave Anfield this summer, and Ferrero believes that Sampdoria are the perfect club for him to revive his career.

"Balotelli is Balotelli's own worst enemy. Just like [Antonio] Cassano is Cassano's own worst enemy," Ferrero told Il Corriere dello Sport.

"He's a great player who's stuck back in the 1960s, stuck in the days of 'Sapore di sale' (a classic Italian song about relaxing on the beach).

"He could relaunch [his career] at a passionate club like ours, but I think he's still got mixed feelings. I've tried to tell him to come to Samp because he's a great talent."

Balotelli has also been linked with a lucrative summer switch to China.