Mario Balotelli set for shock Serie A return

Carlo Garganese

• 9 Oct 2024 14:15 BST
• 4 min read

Mario Balotelli could be set for a shock return to football with Serie A side Genoa.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Wednesday that Genoa manager Alberto Gilardino called Balotelli this morning to discuss a possible move.

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Balotelli is available on a free transfer as he is currently a free agent.

The 34-year-old is keen on the move and wants to return to Italy despite approaches from foreign clubs.

Negotiations are currently ongoing between Balotelli and Genoa to complete a free transfer move.

Genoa have moved for Balotelli in order to address their crisis in attack.

The club sold star forwards Mateo Retegui and Albert Gudmundsson to Atalanta and Fiorentina this summer, respectively.

They then lost another key offensive player Ruslan Malinovsky to a season-ending injury, while Vitinha is the latest forward to be struck by injury.

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Genoa have endured a disastrous start to the Serie A season and find themselves in the relegation zone having lost five and drawn one of their last six matches.

The Rossoblu hope that Balotelli can spark some life into their fight against relegation.

Balotelli back in Serie A

Balotelli has been a free agent since leaving Adana Demirspor in Turkey at the end of his contract this summer.

He scored seven goals in 16 Turkish Super Lig appearances last season but missed much of the campaign with knee injuries, which required him to undergo surgery.

Balotelli has been something of a journeyman in recent years, and if he joins Genoa it would be his ninth different team in the last 10 years.

The veteran has often been painted as a wasted talent who never lived up to his potential.

When Balotelli burst onto the scene as a teenager, he was a wonderkid who could pull off the extraordinary with little to no emotion.

His performances at Euro 2012 when he scored twice - including a stunner - to defeat Germany 2-1 in the semi-final showcased his natural talent.

After promising spells at Inter Milan and Manchester City, where he won league titles, Balotelli’s career declined.

His lack of passion for the game became a problem when his unprofessional manner off the pitch overshadowed his work on it.

Nevertheless, Balotelli has still managed 189 career club goals, as well as 14 goals in 36 appearances for the Italy national team.