Mario Balotelli has been linked with a transfer to Newcastle United in recent days.
Despite signing Chris Wood, Newcastle need another striker.
With Callum Wilson ruled out for two months, the former Burnley attacker simply isn’t prolific enough in the Premier League to fire the Magpies to safety come May.
Hence, Saudi Public Investment Fund are still in the market for an additional hitman.
And speculation is mounting that Newcastle are keen to sign former Liverpool and Manchester City forward Balotelli.
The 31-year-old is plying his trade in Turkey with Adana Demirspor these days.
However, reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that there’s no substance in the rumours, claiming that he’s been told personally that it is ‘fake news’.
Relief
Well, Newcastle supporters will be breathing a sigh of relief.
With 21 goals in 70 Premier League appearances, the Italy international is hardly prolific enough to keep United in the top flight either.
He is certainly a character and his arrival at St James’s Park would cast a much bigger spotlight on the Tyneside outfit.
However, it would be a horrible addition.
Even if Balotelli wasn’t 31 and was in the prime of his career, a transfer just wouldn’t have made a lick of sense.
Eddie Howe and Newcastle need proven Premier League goalscorers to keep them in the Premier League and even when the former City striker was in England, he was horrendously inconsistent.
The Magpies need a pillar up front – not so much in stature because Wood will bring the physicality.
But they certainly need a figure they can rely on and, honestly, when has Balotelli ever been that player?
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