Nice no ‘last resort’ for Balotelli, claims agent Raiola

Mark Scott
Mario Balotelli: Forward joined Nice on free transfer

Mario Balotelli: Forward joined Nice on free transfer

Agent Mino Raiola has said Mario Balotelli had a whole host of other clubs to choose from other than Nice on transfer deadline day.

The mercurial forward finally ended his nightmare spell at Liverpool, two years after joining the Reds for £16million from AC Milan.

Jurgen Klopp was desperate to trim his large squad and was said to be open to loaning Balotelli out again. However, Liverpool were able to negotiate a permanent deal away for the Italian.

Agent Raiola stated that the move to Nice was the one that attracted him the most and could have gone elsewhere in Europe.

“Nice was not a last resort for Mario. He had many offers,” said an adamant Raiola.

“There were alternatives in Italy, in Germany, in England, in Spain, but we chose this. The French league is interesting and is played offensively.

“The national team is something that Mario likes a lot, but today he should focus on Nice and their performance.”