Berlusconi: Balotelli’s a drifter, but he could have Milan future

Mario Balotelli: Not heading for Besiktas

Mario Balotelli: Not heading for Besiktas

Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli has been criticised by Silvio Berlusconi, but the AC Milan chief still believes the striker could move to the club on a permanent deal.

The Italy frontman, who returned to Milan on a season-long loan last August, has missed three months of Serie A action after undergoing groin surgery but he has still made a decent impression in Italy.

The 25-year-old has scored twice in 12 appearances for Milan and despite being criticised by Berlusconi for “drifting to the wings too much”, the controversial former Italian Prime Minster has claimed that Balotelli could still have a long-term future with the club.

“Will we sign him outright? It depends on him,” Berlusconi told Italia 7 Gold.

“He has extraordinary technical and physical qualities, especially if he can really show maturity in terms of his behaviour in his life and his position on the pitch.

“He drifts out to the wings too much.

“If he were to do these things we’d be very happy to make a financial sacrifice and keep him here with us.”

Berlusconi got himself into hot water recently after calling Balotelli “an Italian who has taken a bit too much sun”, a reference to his race – Balotelli is the son of Ghanaian immigrants.

The striker, who joined Liverpool from Milan in the summer of 2014 in a deal worth £16million, is believed to be a target for the cash-rich Chinese Super League and any confirmed interest from Asia will drive up Balotelli’s asking price.