Mario Balotelli Linked With Surprising Permanent Transfer

Mario Balotelli has been given a new lease of life under Lucien Favre in Ligue One.

The Italian has of course still collected yellow and red cards (10 yellow and 3 red to be exact) but he's been much more consistent in his stint in France, playing a starring role as Nice achieved qualification for next season's Champions League.

Image: PA

Balotelli was on the scoresheet in Nice's 2-1 defeat to Marseille at the weekend in what was his 17th goal in all competitions this season. It marked his 15th league goal this term, which is the highest he has ever managed in a single season.

And though he's enjoying life at Nice, there's already talk that he could be moving onto pastures new after just a single season.

Here's Balotelli struggling to tie his laces in March:

Credit: BT Sport

Spanish radio station COPE, as noted by Mundo Deportivo, are reporting that La Liga side Las Palmas are keen on signing the the 26-year old and have already made moves to secure his services.

Balotelli only signed a one-year contract with Nice in the summer of 2016 and it appears as though Las Palmas are taking advantage of the fact Balotelli is yet to extend his deal.

Should he sign with Las Palmas in what would be the fifth permanent transfer of his career, he would link up with former AC Milan teammate Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Topics: Las Palmas, Mario Balotelli

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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