Newcastle told Premier League winner would be good signing, but reports say Toon are not interested

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Darren Bent has told TalkSPORT that Mario Balotelli would be a good signing for Newcastle United. The striker has been loosely linked with the Toon, as he continues to rebuild his career in Turkish football.

Balotelli, 31, is currently at SuperLig side Adana Demirspor – where he has impressed. The Premier League title-winner has scored eight goals in 20 appearances, as well as laying on four assists for his teammates so far.

Adana’s Club President, Murat Sancak, told Fanatik this week: “Newcastle was considering signing Balotelli. But so far they have not made an official offer. There is an exit clause in his contract.”

Balotelli has seen his career deteriorate over the last few seasons. Choosing to leave Nice after a stunning spell – 43 goals in 76 – he has since played for Monza, Brescia and was even a free agent for six months in 2020.

Improving his form in Turkey, has apparently caught the eye of Newcastle. Bent was asked if he felt Newcastle signing Balotelli was a good move, and he feels his Premier League know how might prove important on Tyneside.

“He’s got that little bit of extra, that edge to him. They like a character up in Newcastle, like – Hatem Ben Arfa, Faustino Asprilla, Allan Saint-Maximin. I think Balotelli would be a good signing, they need back-up,” Bent said.

Bent on Balotelli: Should Newcastle really consider a move?

Fabrizio Romano reported this week that Newcastle potentially raiding Adana for Balotelli was “fake news”. It seems a bit of a non-starter, and little surprise given the way his career has tailed off as he enters his thirties.

Newcastle are said to be after another striker despite the signing of Chris Wood – with Duvan Zapata and Hugo Ekitike being strongly linked. Balotelli would bring Premier League know how, and bite, to the Toon’s attack.

But the question remains, is he the player he once was? His form in Turkey is good, but Turkish football is miles off the standard required in the Premier League. A move that is unlikely, but anything can happen.