Sir Alex showed much interest in the young striker three years ago.

Club America v Inter Milan

Inter striker Mario Balotelli could have been playing for the opposition in next week’s clash against Barcelona, according to El Mundo Deportivo.

The Spanish paper claims ‘Super Mario’ was on the verge of joining the Blaugrana three years ago, when he was playing for Serie C side Lumezzane in 2006. Back then a number of major European sides, including Manchester United and Barcelona, fought for his signature.

After much wrangling and discourse, Balotelli snubbed the Catalans and joined Inter instead. Voices suggest Barcelona made an approach but were scared off as the player’s representatives named a high price.

In addition, the report indicates that Manchester United and Fiorentina also pulled out of the running, leaving Inter to pounce unchallenged. (Goal.com)

This is interesting If not wholly unsurprising. Man United have had something of a good scouting system in Italy for a few years now and that has brought us the likes of Giuseppe Rossi and Federico Macheda but it appears we missed out on this Inter lad.

Mario Balotelli is a fantastic prospect who has been wowing the crowds in Italy for a couple of years now, although by no means a regular at Inter Milan he has a bright future at the club and is on the fringes of a full senior international call up.


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