Mario Balotelli has signed a short-term deal with Serie A side Genoa. (Image: Getty)
Mario Balotelli's whirlwind career has taken him from Milan to Manchester and from Merseyside to Marseille.
Former Everton sporting director Marcel Brands has revealed the maverick Italian striker is set to land at Goodison Park. In 2019, when Balotelli was among the Ligue 1 goals, he was reportedly offered to the Toffees by super agent Mino Raiola.
Brands claims Everton chief Farhad Moshiri was on board with the move, despite having only just pulled the trigger on a £27million deal for fellow striker Moise Kean. And it's up to the Dutch sports director to pull the plug.
Brands told Algemeen Dagblad: “Why don't you bring Mario Balotelli too, guys? » said Mino. This seemed to Raiola to be a great attacking duo for the Premier League. [Balotelli and Kean]. Both fast, competent, strong and also complementary.
“After a while, he had backed up his story so well that Moshiri completely loved it too. After the match, I went to eat something with Mino. 'You're great, Brands,' Mino said.
“Moshiri wanted to take out his wallet. But I was responsible for the technical policy, for the composition of the selection. The good thing was that if you told Mino the truth to his face, he could very well get away with it. come out at the end. But he was super smart. If you let go of the steering wheel for a moment, he sailed in the other direction.
Marcel Brands was Everton's sporting director between 2018 and 2021 (Image: Getty)
In the end, Everton got rid of Balotelli and Kean's move to Merseyside proved to be a disaster. The striker scored just two goals in 32 Premier League appearances and was sent back to Juventus four years after his arrival.
Balotelli's career was equally eventful. The 34-year-old's unique personality made him a cult figure at Manchester City, and after a brief spell at AC Milan, he returned to the Premier League in 2014 for an unsuccessful two-year spell at Liverpool.
While consistency has always been an issue, Balotelli's talent is undeniable, and he has posted brilliant numbers at OGC Nice, Marseille and Adana Demirspor during stints at 12 different clubs since turning professional in 2006 .
Balotelli returned to Italy this season after a three-year absence, with Genoa offering him a short-term contract at the end of October. The veteran center forward has made two appearances since then, but he is yet to find the net.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1973816/mario-balotelli-premier-league-everton-marcel-brands