AC Milan’s volatile striker, Mario Balotelli, could be heading back to the Premier League with Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, believed to have met the former Manchester City man’s agent ahead of a potential summer transfer.
The controversial 23-year-old, who is rarely out of the headlines or the live football commentary, has enjoyed a prolific spell with the Rossoneri, scoring 21 goals in just 30 Serie A appearances for a side that has struggled badly this season.
Wenger is prepared to take a risk on Balotelli, who moved from one headline-making incident to another during his spell in Manchester, as he has had to rely on Olivier Giroud too much this season as the attacking options at the Emirates Stadium are extremely limited.
Italy international Balotelli was allowed to leave the Etihad Stadium by then City boss Roberto Mancini 13 months ago after one controversial incident too many.
He scored 20 goals in 54 Premier League appearances during his time with the club and helped them clinch the title in a memorable 2011-12 campaign.
Balotelli is valued at around £25million and could be keen to leave Italy as he has been subjected to racial abuse from supporters in recent months and was even seen crying when he was substituted against Napoli.
Milan coach, Clarence Seedorf, who replaced Massimiliano Allegri in the San Siro hot-seat last month, may be interested in selling Balotelli so that he can revamp an under-achieving squad in readiness for next season.
They are currently seven points adrift of a Europa League qualifying spot, with Seedorf admitting to fans who bet on football that there will be no short-term fixes for their current woes.
He said: "I am optimistic for the future but it will take time to get things right because we have a lot of hard work to do. The team need to improve all over but it doesn't interest me to criticise the previous coach."