Mario Balotelli: Spurs & Liverpool Move to Steal Inter Wonderkid West Ham Target

West Ham are reportedly leading a host of Premier League clubs in the chase for one of Serie A’s young sensations, the 18-year-old Inter striker Mario Balotelli. Gianfranco Zola admitted that he is in negotiations when he revealed, “I have done everything I can to sign Mario and it would be in both our interests and his.” However, Tottenham tried to negotiate a deal back in January and Harry Redknapp is known to be a keen admirer of the youngster. Rafa Benitez is also on the lookout for more strikers to contest a place with Fernando Torres but whether Balotelli will settle for an understudy role is unlikely.

The youngster of Ghanaian descent was born in Palermo and broke into Serie C1 side Lurnezzane at the tender age of 15. He made 2 League appearances for the club until some of the biggest clubs in Europe moved in for him such as Manchester United, Barcelona and Fiorentina. However, it was Milan giants Inter that won his much sought after signature. However, after falling out with Jose Mourinho over a lack of first team football the teenager may well leave the San Siro either on loan or permanently which has alerted a number of English clubs including the Hammers.

The striker was signed on a 3-year deal which is the longest contract a youth team player can have in Italy. Balotelli made his first team debut for Inter in December 2007 as a last minute substitute. However, just 3 days later he scored 2 goals on his full debut in the Coppa Italia. His league record for the club is 11 goals in 33 league appearances but he has only started 22 matches. The youngster has now won two Serie A title medals and played the full 90 minutes of the Copa Italia final defeat to Roma in 2008. Last season Balotelli played 22 times in Serie A for Jose Mourinho and scored 8 times (15 starts). He’s continually being linked to a move to the Premier League with Chelsea and Arsenal two clubs that have shown a previous interest.

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Despite his tender years the striker has openly spoken of his disappointment of not playing more games last season and his desire to leave the club which has angered his coach Mourinho.

The starlet has stated his ambition to play for Italy and has rejected the overtures from Ghana’s national team. Due to the fact his adoption was never finalised as a child he was not able to gain Italian citizenship until August which meant he missed out on playing for the Italians at youth level. However, he soon was called into Pierluigi Casiraghi’s U21 squad and scored twice in their 3-1 Euro qualifying win over Israel to seal their qualification to the finals in Sweden where he is currently. Balotelli has started both of his nation’s games and scored in the 2-1 win over Sweden before being sent off for kicking out at a defender so is now suspended.

Balotelli is already renowned as one of the most exciting young talents in European football and was tipped to act as a makeweight in the Italian side’s chase for Frank Lampard last summer. At 6 ft 2 and in the Micah Richards mould in terms of physique he would have the physical attributes to succeed in England. His future has been the subject of much speculation after he reportedly asked for assurances that he would be guaranteed first team football despite being 18 and playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world so he’s not low on confidence.

Balotelli signed a new contract until 2011 in the summer but speculation still remains concerning his long-term future. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, West Ham and Everton have all reportedly been watching the youngster in view to bringing him to England. It’s reported that the youngster is available for loan so wouldn’t be too much of a gamble despite his hot-headed attitude. However, West Ham will be hoping their Italian connections may hold the key to a deal that sees ‘Super Mario’ move to Upton Park and not to White Hart Lane or Anfield.

Whether he stays or goes, expect to hear a whole lot more about Mario Balotelli for many years.

Tags: Inter Milan, Italy, Liverpool, Manchester United, Mario Balotelli, Tottenham, West Ham

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