The odds on Mario Balotelli joining West Ham United have been slashed after a flurry of bets.
The Italy international is currently without a club after his contract at Marseille came to an end, with the controversial striker making headlines over the weekend.
Balotelli reportedly paid a Naples-based bar owner €2,000 to drive his Vespa into the sea, before lighting up a cigarette.
But the 28-year-old has shown at both Inter and AC Milan, as well as Manchester City, he can be a nightmare on the pitch as well.
His performance in the Euro 2012 semi-final illustrates his undoubted quality as well, he terrorised a Germany defence which would go on to win the World Cup just two years later.
And it seems as though a third stint in the Premier League is on the cards, with bookmakers making the Hammers clear favourites to sign Balotelli.
After being priced at 6/1, Balotelli is now just 5/2 to move to the East End. Manuel Pellegrini could bring the striker in on a free to replace Mark Arnautovic.
The outspoken Austrian completed his move to Shanghai SIPG on Monday morning and it seems as though the Hammers could have a replacement lined up.
Oddschecker spokesperson Callum Wilson said: “Never shy from the limelight, Balotelli grabbed the headlines yet again this week – but not for footballing reasons.
“Allegedly paying an Italian bar owner €2,000 to drive his scooter into a river is one of the more mundane ‘pranks’ that we’ve come to know from the firebrand over the years.
Adrian Durham thinks that West Ham could push into the top four next season in the Premier League
“Hammers fans will hope he can keep the Premier League side afloat next season, and not sink towards the Championship without the likes of the recently departed Marko Arnautovic.”
A move for Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez has been touted, with Valencia reportedly dropping out of the race to sign the 22-year-old from Uruguay.
Since moving to Celta from Defensor Sporting in 2017, Gomez has netted 71 goals in LaLiga.
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