Tuesday, 12th February, 2013
Barcelona had the chance to sign Mario Balotelli in 2006, but the player’s advisors priced him out of a move to the Camp Nou, according to Catalan daily Sport.
A young Balotelli arrived to train with the club’s B team and even played three games with the youth section in almost a week at the Spanish side. The Italian hugely impressed the Blaugrana talent-spotters, who were ready to sanction a move for the striker to the Catalan giants.
However, when it came to talking about just how much Balotelli would earn, it quickly became clear Barcelona would not sign the player.
Balotelli’s advisors asked for sums far in excess of those the Catalan giants usually paid to players of his age – making the deal a no-go.
In the end, Balotelli moved to Inter, where club president Massimo Moratti was prepared to push the boat out to sign the exciting youngster.
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Balotelli went on to break through into Inter’s first team and shine, even gaining international recognition with Italy.
He joined Manchester City in 2010, winning last season’s Premier League title at the club.
And just last month Balotelli returned to Italy, signing for AC Milan for €23M.
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