Mario Balotelli likely to leave Nice in summer, confirms President

Kolkata, March 16: Mario Balotelli might be out of contract in the summer, but according to Nice's President the player will not leave on a free transfer.

Balotelli currently has only three months left on his contract and is eligible for Bosman transfer right now and his agent Mino Raiola also hinted earlier that the reinvigorated player is ready to move on from France to Italy or England and his inclusion will be a big coup for any side in June when his contract with Nice expires.

"Mario is ready to come back [to Italy or England], Raiola told Rai Sport.

"He has matured and is one of the top 10 attackers to the world, and the number one Italian. He is worth €100m, but will move for nothing," the agent added.

The French club's president now confirmed the player and his agent's desire to leave the Ligue 1 side, and stated that it will be difficult to keep hold of the player any longer as he has already rejected a contract extension with the club. He also claims that there is a written deal with the player’s agency which will earn them a fee.

“It will be difficult to keep him,” Rivere said. “He has had two good seasons with us and has matured between the first and second. He’s a player who certainly wants to move on.

“The probability is more towards a departure than him staying, but we’ve not opened talks with Mario or his agent yet.”

The former Manchester City, AC Milan and Inter Milan star has rejuvenated his career in Ligue 1 with Nice since his move from Liverpool last year.

The player has been in fine form this season and has enjoyed the best season of his career so far and the Italian striker has scored 22 goals in 30 appearances for Nice, who sit seventh in the Ligue 1 table.

The Italian also helped the Ligue 1 side finish third last season where he netted 17 goals.