Prem title winner Mario Balotelli, 34, ‘debating’ transfer to minnows with stadium 26 times smaller than Man City
MARIO BALOTELLI is nearing a move to Spanish lower-league side Intercity, according to reports.
The Italian, 34, has been without a club since leaving Turkish outfit Adana Demirspor in June.
The former Manchester City and Liverpool star did not find a new team prior to the summer transfer deadline.
But according to Spanish outlet AS, a deal to join Spanish third-tier side Intercity is getting closer.
They add that talks are “ongoing” but that the deal is not yet over the line.
Balotelli scored seven goals in 16 games in Turkey’s top flight last season, having missed much of the campaign with a knee injury.
He even wore Adana Demirspor’s captain’s armband on a few occasions prior to leaving.
Intercity were formed in 2017 and play in Spain’s Alicante region.
They boast one player among their ranks that has previously played in English football; ex-Middlesbrough and Birmingham ace Emilio Nsue.
The full-back, 34, played in England between 2014 and 2018, before later going on to sign for Intercity in 2022.
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Mario Balotelli career stats
2006 – Lumezzane 2 (0)
2007-2010 – Inter Milan 86 (28)
2010-2013 – Man City 80 (30)
2013-14 – AC Milan 41 (18)
2014-2016 – Liverpool 28 (4)
2015-16 – AC Milan (loan) 23 (3)
2016-2019 – Nice 76 (43)
2019 – Marseille 15 (8)
2019-20 – Brescia 19 (5)
2020-21 – Monza 14 (6)
2021-22 – Adana Demirspor 33 (19)
2022-23 – Sion 19 (6)
2023-2024 – Adana Demirspor 16 (7)
Should Balotelli join the Spanish side, he could find himself going up against reserve teams.
That’s because Intercity play in the same league as Sevilla, Real Betis and Atletico Madrid’s B teams, drawing 1-1 with the latter last month.
Intercity’s stadium holds a capacity of just 2,000 people – a far cry from the 53,600 that can pack into the Etihad for Man games.
Intercity are listed on the stock exchange, with the possible arrival of Balotelli potentially raising the value of shares.
Should they close a deal for the former Azzurri international, he would not be able to be registered for games until January.
He could join up to train with them, however, giving him three months to get himself fully fit.