Barnsley made a surprise attempt to sign former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli.
The enigmatic striker is currently without a club after leaving hometown club Brescia on bad terms following their relegation to the Italian second tier.
He has been training with Serie D side Franciacorta in an attempt to build up his fitness but shock reports have linked the Italian with a return to England with Barnsley, currently 16th in the Championship.
The Sun say there was recently contact between Barnsley and superagent Mino Raiola, who has Balotelli among a whole host of top-level clientele.
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The 30-year-old was said to be interested in coming back to English football with the Oakwell outfit but is now said to be weighing up other offers.
There has been reported interest from Pyramids FC in Egypt as Balotelli decides on an important next move at this stage in his career.
At Brescia, Balotelli's relationship with the club ended in sour fashion.
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Having been ill with gastroenteritis and forced to missed several days of training, he then received all clear by doctors to return and emailed the club with documentation saying he was well.
But because his email came out of working hours and no one was at the club to process his medical forms, he was turned away from training.
Raiola soon got involved and accused the club of not testing him for COVID-19 - Brescia then responding by changing his weight to being around a stone overweight on their official club website.
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Balotelli's controversial career has seen him play for both Milan clubs, play an important role in Manchester City's first league title for 44 years, flop at Liverpool and turn out for Nice and Marseille in Ligue One.
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