By Ollie Irish
Several sources are reporting that Mario Balotelli’s move to Man City is off because the teenager – and his people – asked for a salary of £180,000 a week, plus image rights.
Oh, that is a good one. City can afford to pay that much, but their problem is, everyone knows they can afford to pay that much. In this case, if the claim is true, Balotelli is really chancing his arm. It’s a ballsy gamble; maybe, just maybe City will be dumb enough, and rich enough to say yes. The bigger the lie etc.
In City’s gold-lined shoes, I’d tell Super Mario’s agent to buy a one-way ticket to Fuck Off. Because there’s taking the piss and there’s REALLY taking the piss.
Amidst all the hype, I think we’ve forgotten that Balotelli is a raw, teenage striker with serious attitude problems – like when we thought Gareth Barry would suddenly turn England into a world-class team.
Let’s be very clear. In no world – not even the crazy, billionaire’s playground that Eastlands has become – is a player like Balotelli worth even £90k a week, let alone twice as much.
So as much as I’d love to have Balotelli in the Premier League (just for the tantrums), I hope City don’t lose sight of his true market value. I’d pay him £75k a week, no more.
How much do you think he’s worth?