Inter starlet puts Chelsea on red alert
by Tom Kell, 23 March 2008
Chelsea could be ready to pounce after it was revealed that Inter phenomenon Mario Balotelli is mulling over a move away from the Serie A leaders.
The 17-year-old Balotelli burst onto the scene with an eye-catching display against Juventus in the Coppa Italia this season, and is already drawing comparisons with fellow Milanese teen sensation, Alexandre Pato.
Balotelli has already caught the attention of Chelsea, whose scouts have been seen casting their eye over him in recent weeks.
Despite impressing whenever given the chance, the bounty of strikers at Roberto Mancini’s disposal means Balotelli has had only limited first-team opportunities, and his brother and agent, Corrado, has subsequently sent a hefty hint the way of Stamford Bridge.
“He would like to progress, he deserves the first team,” he told Tuttosport. “There have been no negotiations to renew his contract. In future, Mario could go abroad.”
Balotelli previously rejected overtures from the Ghanian national team – his parents’ birth-place – in favour of biding his time for a call-up to the country where he now plies his trade.