Mario Balotelli was once a much sought after headache, now he is just a headache.
Liverpool took a chance that bringing Mario Balotelli to Merseyside under Brendan Rodgers could see the believed excellent man manager bring the best out of the frustrating Italian.
But, the experiment has ended in a massive wage sapping headache that the club seem to have no solution in site for.
Rodgers tried his best to make the Italian succeed with the Reds, but 28 appearances and only four goals just did not cut it in 2014-15. Balotelli was thought to be the solution for some muscle alongside of Daniel Sturridge but he just never seemed to really want to be there.
Last year he was sent out on-loan back to Italy with AC Milan where he had come from, but again no luck on seeing his have success and build a desire for anyone to want to take a risk on him. Only scoring one goal in 20 Serie A appearances was never going to make anyone standup and take notice.
Once believed as the future of the Italian national side, Balotelli has fallen from grace like few have ever seen. His antics at Manchester City continue to haunt him and his lack of personal desire to make himself into the force he has the talent for makes fans loath him around the world.
Jurgen Klopp seems to have no patience to work with the Italian and is believed to be set on getting the most out of his sale he can, but at this point Balotelli has few that even want him.
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He has been linked with more than half a dozen Italian sides, all recanting on their believed interest. SkyBet has him linked with 17 different individual clubs and the entirety of the United State’s Major League Soccer.
The most recent side linked with the forward is French club Nice as they prepare for a fight on three fronts this season with the Ligue 1, the French League Cup and UEFA Europa League all beckoning for the 2015-16 fourth placed club.
Nice will join the rest of the believed suitors in their debate as to whether the 26-year-old is worth the risk.
At his age and with his ability Balotelli has all the tools and youth to become one of the greatest strikers in history.
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However, he has to decide that is what he wants to do or he will continue to fade away as one of the biggest and most unfortunate failures in recent footballing history.