Report: Hammers enquired about Italian bad boy
The striker has not played since last December 4 after another bust-up. The Daily Mirror claims Patrick Vieira has told Balotelli that he would not be allowed to play for Nice again and banned him from the Nice training ground for refusing to commit his future to the French club.
Newcastle, Genoa and Marseille have been linked to the Nice striker in recent weeks.
Pellegrini was never given the chance to work with Mario Balotelli at Manchester City. The Maverick Italian departed the Premier League for AC Milan in January 2013, five months before Pellegrini was appointed as Roberto Mancini’s successor at the Etihad.
Claret and Hugh opinion:
Why would Pellegrini want to bring in a player with more ego and problems then Marko Arnautovic and Dimitri Payet put together? If he has refused to respect Patrick Viera and Nice, why would Manuel Pellegrini and West Ham get any more respect? Despite his ability on the pitch Balotelli comes with so much baggage he would need a team of porters to help him bring it back to England. His disruption in the dressing room could be more harmful than his contribution on the pitch and in my view, it is a gamble and a risk not worth taking. We want players who want to play for the West Ham badge and want to progress the club as a team effort not pander one player’s ego or demands. I am hoping that this speculation is yet another recycled story from foreign media looking to fill column inches. Balotelli has little to offer us than potential problems!