Transfer gossip – Balotelli offered an Italian job

By Kevin Kelly | Jul 30, 2015

Playing for 90’s transfer gossip column brings you all the latest news and rumours of ins and outs from the Premier League and abroad, including news on the future of Mario Balotelli.

Bologna seek Liverpool flop

The London Evening Standard report that newly promoted Serie A outfit Bologna are interested in signing Mario Balotelli. The 24-year-old struggled in his first season at Anfield following his £16million move to the club from AC Milan last summer as the Italy international scored just four goals in all competitions – including once in the Premier League.

Brendan Rodgers subsequently omitted the forward from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Thailand, Australia and Malaysia, with Balotelli staying behind to continue working on his form and fitness at Melwood. The forward now faces increased competition for a starting berth next season following the arrivals of Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, Danny Ings and Divock Origi to the club.

But Bologna’s director of sport, Pantaleo Corvino, revealed he would be interested in providing an escape route to Balotelli this summer despite interest from Sampdoria.

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“I would take him, he would be highly motivated here,” he told Italian publication Corriere dello Sport.

“Of course, Bologna have to respect certain financial parameters, but for the right price I would even look at the possibility of buying him outright.”

Ramos signs new Madrid deal

Manchester United’s hopes of signing Sergio Ramos have been dashed as the defender has signed a new deal with Real Madrid, keeping him at the club until 2020, report Spanish daily Marca. which will be officially announced before the new La Liga season gets underway on 23rd August.

The deal puts an end to a contentious issue that saw the relationship between club and player sour somewhat at the end of last season. The two parties appeared to be going their separate ways, but the defender held face-to-face meetings, firstly with José Ángel Sánchez and then with Florentino Pérez whilst on tour in China, and these brought their positions closer together until they met the player’s demands.

Ramos, whose previous deal ran until 2017, now looks set to end his career at the Bernabéu, just like he wanted. On top of that he has landed a bit of a pay rise, pushing his wages up to around €9m per season – after tax – plus add-ons.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have secured the services of the man who played a huge part in winning ‘La Décima’, the man called upon to wear the captain’s armband following Iker Casillas’s move to Porto.

Chelsea John Stones bid of £26 million rejected by Everton

Everton have rejected a second Chelsea bid of £26 million for John Stones as they battle to keep the England defender, report ESPNFC. Neither Everton nor Chelsea have made any comment on the latest offer.

But Roberto Martinez said after the first bid was rejected that the 21-year-old centre-back was not for sale. Martinez sees Stones, who has won four England caps already, as a future Everton captain.

He is looking to strengthen in central defence, having allowed Antolin Alcaraz and Sylvain Distin to leave when their contracts expired at the end of June. Martinez is interested in Manchester United’s Jonny Evans and has been linked with Dynamo Kiev defender Aleksandar Dragovic.

But he still sees Stones and club captain Phil Jagielka as his first-choice central defensive pairing for the coming season. Stones was brought to Goodison Park by then-Everton boss David Moyes from Barnsley for £3 million in January 2013, and is under contract until 2019.

Bilic confirms Hammers are still in the hunt for Alex Song

The London Evening Standard report that Slaven Bilic insists West Ham have not given up on completing a permanent deal for Barcelona midfielder Alex Song. Former Arsenal star Song will miss three months with ankle trouble, leaving the ex-Cameroon midfielder haggling with the Hammers over the length of a permanent contract.

Song spent last season on loan at Upton Park, and Barcelona are ready to let him return on a free transfer – but new West Ham boss Bilic admitted talks are ongoing with the 27-year-old.

“We are in contact but it’s not for the media yet,” he said.

West Ham will face Romanian outfit Astra Giurgiu at Upton Park on Thursday as their marathon pre-season continues apace. Hammers manager Bilic again admitted frustration with the packed schedule brought about by an unexpected Europa League qualification bid.

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