Genoa President Alberto Zangrillo confirms that the Grifone are in talks with Mario Balotelli: ‘It’s a challenge that has left me sleepless for days.’
Genoa President confirms the Serie A strugglers are considering signing Italian striker Balotelli as a free agent.
Gazzetta reported earlier this week that Grifone had already reached an agreement in principle with the ex-Inter, Milan, Liverpool, and Manchester City star.
“I don’t agree with those saying that his arrival may upset the team,” Zangrillo told Radio Sportiva on Thursday.
“I think that, potentially, Super Mario has been the best Italian No.9 in the last 20 years. I am convinced that Balotelli can return to being the player he was at Marassi. It’s a challenge that has left me sleepless for days. I’d never give up on Mario. I like romantic football.”
Balotelli has been without a club since June, when his contract with Adana Demirspor expired. It is reported that the deal is still not closed because Alberto Gilardino’s future is uncertain.
Genoa have only won one game this season, losing the last three matches.
Zangrillo, however, released another interview with Gazzetta on Thursday, saying that the former striker was ‘untouchable.’
“One of the unwritten rules of football is ‘don’t put pressure.’ This is what’s behind my interview with Gazzetta,” he clarified.
“We know that Saturday’s game is important but not decisive.”
Genoa are having issues on and off the pitch as their owners, 777 Partners, were recently declared bankrupt.
“It’s undisputable that there is a judicial controversy concerning our main shareholder,” concluded Zangrillo.
“Lucikly, there is a financial advisor, a bank interested in giving consistency to the Genoa asset. We are all working to give the club a serene future.”