Mario Balotelli sparks transfer scrap with Fiorentina joining Flamengo in race for bad-boy striker
FREE agent Mario Balotelli is sparking a transfer scramble with Fiorentina joining the race for his signature.
Brazilian side Flamengo were believed to be on the brink of announcing his signing on a two-and-a-half year deal.
Reports claim they had offered him a bumper £108,000-a-week, meaning he would pocket more than £14million over the course of his South American stint.
Balotelli, 28, remains without a club after leaving Marseille following six months with them.
He scored eight times in 15 matches and it appears Fiorentina are ready to take a punt on the former Manchester City man.
Corriere dello Sport claim the Serie A side are mulling over a financial package but his wages remain a stumbling block.
He is in danger of gaining a reputation as a journeyman having played for AC Milan, Liverpool, Nice and Marseilles in the last six years.
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Fiorentina have already landed the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng, talented right-back Pol Lirola and Erick Pulgar this summer as they pursue a European challenge.
And the offer of a return back to his home country could tempt Balotelli to reignite his career in Serie A.
West Ham were linked with him in the summer but the Hammers turned their attentions elsewhere.