West Ham United are not interested in Nice striker Mario Balotelli, according to Claret and Hugh.
The website – who are a reliable source of information on the Hammers – reveal that the Irons hold no interest in the former Manchester City forward, who made over 70 top flight appearances in England, despite reliable journalist Carlo Laudisa saying on his personal Twitter account that West Ham were in a strong position to sign him.
Tutto Mercato Web previously claimed that boss Manuel Pellegrini had enquired about whether Balotelli was available, but C&H have denied that the club ever held an interest in the player.
OPINION
West Ham have really dodged a bullet with this one. Imagine if the reports linking them with a move for Balotelli were true? He is not the player that he used to be when starring for the likes of City and Liverpool, so the Hammers would essentially be wasting their time by signing a player like the Italian. He was hardly the most prolific of forwards during his 70 appearances in the Premier League, and it was his temper and fluctuating emotions that defined his persona instead. He was known for not being able to control his emotions on the pitch, so signing him would have posed a major risk for the Irons. There are better strikers out there if they really want to sign another one, but with Marko Arnautovic unlikely to move in this transfer window, the need for one is not that paramount anymore. Balotelli would have been a huge risk, and not one that West Ham would have been prepared to take.
