Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli could be handed a career lifeline this summer after hints at an interest from Gianfranco Zola, who is set to take over at Qatari club Al-Arabi, according to The Sun.
The Italian international has struggled badly in his short time at Anfield so far, scoring only one Premier League goal last season after an eagerly-anticipated summer switch from AC Milan.
Balotelli has often been known as an eccentric talent prone to inconsistency, but this was a poor goals return by his standards and it could now be that he will be on his way out of the club, with reports this week from the Independent that he has been told he has no future with the Reds by manager Brendan Rodgers, and that he is not currently training with the first-team.
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Despite a career spent in Europe’s top leagues so far, playing for big names like Inter Milan and Manchester City prior to spells with AC Milan and Liverpool, it could now be that the 24-year-old will have to make something of a step down to revive his career in the game.
Zola is seemingly willing to work with him, and is quoted in The Sun as being open to making a move for the player this summer.
“In Qatar there are important players, and for people like Cassano and Balotelli it could be an opportunity,” the former West Ham United boss said.
“We have a full squad but if I had the chance I would give it a thought.”