Everton are in the market for a centre-forward this summer, with Marco Silva recently admitting that he’s keen on signing a target man who provides mobility in attack. The Toffees were linked with Mario Balotelli in 2018 and could consider a return this summer as his contract will expire in a handful of weeks.
The 28-year-old signed a short-term deal with Olympique Marseille in January and has been in fine form at the Orange Vélodrome, scoring seven goals in nine Ligue 1 games this season. His agent Mino Raiola said last year that Balotelli was ready to return to the Premier League, so there’s a slim chance that could happen ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.
He’ll soon be available on a free transfer, but Everton will have to pay around £6.9m-a-year/£132k-per-week to procure his signature which would make him their highest-paid player. Balotelli has a history of bad behaviour and questionable decisions, but the Italian international has been prolific in recent years and may have a point to prove in England.
The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker scored 15 Ligue 1 goals for OGC Nice 2016/17 and 18 goals in 2017/18. His form has continued since moving to Marseille, so Everton might be hopeful he can repeat the feat at Goodison Park.