Balotelli wanted by West Ham, Marseille

Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is wanted by both West Ham and Marseille, according to reports.

The 27-year-old is out of contract at Nice this summer and he is expected to leave on a free transfer following two seasons with the club.

He has scored 33 goals in 51 Ligue 1 games for Nice and there are a number of sides keen on snapping him up.

West Ham have been linked with a move for the striker, who made a total of 70 appearances in the Premier League across his spells with Manchester City and Liverpool.

However, Marseille are also ready to offer Balotelli the chance of staying in France.

Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, has even admitted Marseille would be a great fit, but he also insisted the maverick striker’s future has not been decided just yet.

Raiola told RMC: “I have a good relationship with Marseille. I know the sporting director very well and the president. We will see, it is too early.

“Mario is a player who creates emotion. He always gives 100%. This could marry up very well with the Marseille mentality. Marseille people are like that. They are passionate.

“Mario is passionate, it is like that. We will see.”

Balotelli is back in the Italy team and he scored his first international goal since 2014 last month.

The striker had not featured for Italy since the World Cup in Brazil four years ago, but his tally for Nice this season earned him a recall, and he helped his country to a 2-1 friendly win over Saudi Arabia.