Southampton are looking to bring in a forward in the January transfer window and have become the new favourites to land the signature of Nice striker Mario Balotelli. According to the United Kingdom bookmakers Sky Bet, the Saints are leading the chase for the former Liverpool and Manchester City forward who is currently plying his trade in Ligue 1. He has been priced at 6/1 to join Mauricio Pellegrino’s Southampton before the transfer window comes to a close at the end of January. Newcastle United are second in the race and are priced at 14/1 to sign the former Italian international.
The 27-year-old Nice striker has been in fine form this season since moving to play football in the top tier of French football in the summer of 2016. He has scored 33 goals and made 2 assists in 49 matches for OGC Nice so far. With just six months remaining on his current contract with the Ligue 1 side, a potential departure in January seems possible even though his club president’s persistence that a transfer involving the striker is ‘impossible’ and ‘unimaginable’ this month.
It is being reported that the Saints are looking to recruit a striker in the ongoing transfer window with Charlie Austin sidelined with an injury and both Manolo Gabbiadini and Shane Long failing to find a consistent run of form this term.
Mario Balotelli has featured in 21 matches for OGC Nice this season and has found the back of the net 16 times in all competitions. The Italian is still putting on a show at Ligue 1 with some glimpses of his brilliance that has seen him previously win the Premier League at Manchester City and the Champions League at Inter Milan. His record in the French league has been outstanding, to say the least, and a successful move for his signature might turn out to be a clever addition to Mauricio Pellegrino’s Southampton squad going into the second half of the campaign.
The Saints are currently occupying 16th place in the Premier League standings and sit just a point above the relegation zone. They are in real danger of being relegated at the end of the season if the results don’t turn for the better soon. It could prove to be a major coup if Southampton are able to convince Balotelli to play his football at the St. Mary’s Stadium. His arrival is likely to give the Saints’ players a massive lift in their fight to avoid the drop. However, questions remain on his conduct and behavioural issues and whether he can keep a cool head when the going gets tough during a relegation dogfight.
It remains to be seen whether the bookies are correct by touting Balotelli’s transfer to the Hampshire club.
