As we reported earlier today, via the Daily Mirror, Mario Balotelli has been approached by a third division Italian side about the possibility of playing for them next season.
The 24-year-old, who scored just one Premier League goal for the Reds last season, was approached by Lupa Castelli’s honorary president, Marco Amelia.
The former AC Milan goalkeeper, who was Balotelli’s teammate during their time together at the San Siro, suggested that a spell in the lower leagues would help the former Manchester City man rediscover his best form.
Sadly, Balotelli was less than impressed. According to the Liverpool Echo, the out of favour centre-forward has now officially turned down the switch, although he did express his thanks for the offer.
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Balotelli is reported to have said: “At Milan over two years we had a great rapport of admiration, friendship and respect. Seeing as you are the President of Lupa Castelli, I thank you for the invitation to come and play with you.
“I cannot accept this challenge for many reasons and factors that you know well, taking nothing away from your club. I thank you, I will follow and cheer you on.”
The arrivals of Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and Divock Origi – back from his loan spell at Lille – have left Balotelli well down the pecking order at Anfield, in terms of strikers, and has left a move away from the club as the only realistic possibility should he want to play regularly next season.
However, such a move has been hard to come by so far this summer, with little or no progress made thus far on finding him a new employer. With less than two weeks to go until the new season, the Italian is facing up to the prospect of being stuck at Liverpool until at least January.
You should have take it, Mario.