OMG!! Barcelona Almost Signed Mario Balotelli
Mar 16, 2017 at 6:26 PM
Mario Balotelli claims he nearly joined Barcelona earlier in his career – and has taken another swipe at old side Liverpool.
The controversial Italian is currently enjoying a new lease of life with French club Nice.
But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Balotelli, with the striker enduring a nightmare season at Liverpool before flopping during a loan move at former team AC Milan.
However, he was once tipped to become one of the greatest players on the planet after impressing at Inter Milan and Manchester City.
But Balotelli insists his career could have continued to skyrocket after Barcelona came knocking, although he believes he was priced out of a Nou Camp switch.
The 26-year-old told RMC: “I nearly joined Barcelona, but the club that had me at the time wanted money.”
Balotelli went on to explain that he enjoyed his time at the Etihad, but his year at Anfield is best left in the past.
The forward added: “Manchester City was a dream because there was such an Italian atmosphere there.
“Don’t speak to me about Liverpool, please. There was a team with great people, fantastic fans, but the place…”
Following poor spells at Liverpool and AC Milan, the 26-year-old appears to have found his best form again having struck ten league goals from 16 French top flight games this term.
It’s helped fire Nice third in the table and just five points behind leaders Monaco, who Balotelli has already scored twice against this season.
The striker was on target again last Friday as he helped Nice come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Caen.
A horror spell at Liverpool following a £16million move from AC Milan where he struck just one league goal will probably ensure he isn’t returning back to the Premier League anytime soon.