Crotone club President Raffaele Vrenna has offered Italian striker Mario Balotelli a lifeline by suggesting he would give the 25 year old the captain’s armband if he joins the Italian club.
Croton have been promoted from Serie B to Serie A after finishing in second place on 82 points behind Cagliari last season, and will be looking to avoid relegation next campaign. The signing of Balotelli would certainly be a coup for the side but, as expected, Vrenna believes that the salary paid by Liverpool would be a stumbling block. He told the Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Football-Italia.net’s translation)
“If he accepts to join us, I’ll give him the captain’s armband. The problem is Liverpool’s salary.”
Balotelli has had fitness and form issues since re-joining AC Milan on loan last summer. He didn’t start the Coppa Italia final against Juventus at the weekend with Carlos Bacca taking his place, and the Italian press don’t believe there are any other potential suitors in Italy willing to take on the controversial striker.
