According to Goal, Mario Balotelli is close to a season-long loan move to Nice after a disastrous career with Liverpool.
After an initial meeting between Balotelli and senior club officials, which obstructed negotiations, progress has been made and Liverpool’s troubled forward could join the Italian club within the next few hours.
The 26-year old is to have a medical with the last of the negotiations still to be finalised. Balotelli’s contract with Liverpool ends next summer, therefore this move will see his time with the Reds, frustrating as it has been, come to an end.
During an initial consultation between Balotelli and president Jean-Pierre Rivere and senior officials, the forward made things difficult by giving the French club the impression that they would be lucky to sign him.
Liverpool won’t cover any of Balotelli’s salary and this is stalling the deal somewhat, however, it is expected to be resolved by the time the transfer is confirmed.
Nice’s manager, in his apparent wisdom, was against signing the former Manchester City forward, but his senior assistants argued that there is minimal risk in signing Balotelli on loan, especially given Nice’s lack of quality in the striking department.