Emirates Stadium side hope to further boost Gunners attack with move for proven goal-scorer.
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Arsenal are in talks to sign AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli after the San Siro side opted to drastically reduce the asking price for the 23 year old.
CaughtOffside understands that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of the Italian international and has opted to shift his attention from a fresh bid for QPR striker Loic Remy to the former Man City man after the Serie A side stated their willingness to accept as little as €17m (£14m) for Balotelli.
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New Rossoneri boss Filippo Inzaghi is keen to offload Balotelli as he sets about putting his stamp on the AC Milan squad he inherited from Clarence Seedorf in June and the club’s board is looking to have the forward’s heavy wage burden wiped off their balance sheet and are therefore open to moves to reduce the player’s valuation to help initiate a quick sale.
Balotelli is keen on a move back to the Premier League after an 18 month spell back in his native Italy that has been peppered with numerous unsavoury incidents, including most importantly run-ins with racist fans on a number of occasions.
Wenger wants to bring in a further addition to boost his attack having completed the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona and feels he can man-manage Balotelli in a way that will help to avoid any potential knock-on effects that could lead to disruption in the dressing room.
Despite issues Balotelli has faced since moving to AC Milan in January 2013 the youngster has continued to score regularly, netting 26 goals in 43 Serie A appearances.
Balotelli also has a decent grounding of Premier League experience and at just £14m is pretty much a bargain signing Arsene Wenger doesn’t want to pass up.
The only potential obstacle would possibly come in the form of the marksman’s wage demands, though Arsenal are though to be ready to offer up to £120k a week.
Balotelli would battle French forward Olivier Giroud for Arsenal’s starting striker berth, with Alexis Sanchez more likely to be used in a wide role.
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