Newcastle ‘consider activating Mario Balotelli’ release clause in shock transfer for former Man City player

NEWCASTLE is considering activating Mario Balotelli’s release clause, according to reports.

The former Manchester City player is currently with Adana Demirspor in Turkey.

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According to the club’s chairman, he has emerged as a shock transfer target for the wealthy Premier League side.

As quoted by Inside Futbol, Murat Sancak said: “Newcastle is considering signing Balotelli.

“But so far they have not made an official offer.

“There is a withdrawal clause in his contract.

“But I cannot disclose the amount of that provision.”

Sancak also confirmed an official offer ‘from Saudi Arabia’ has come for the striker.

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But the president added: “We refused. We said, ‘We don’t intend to sell.”

Balotelli, 31 years old, join the newly advertised Super Lig skin Adana Demirspor last summer.

He has scored eight goals and assisted four in 20 appearances this season as his side sit sixth, well in the race for Europe.

In a career as a player, the unpredictable Balotelli made his name at Inter Milan prior to his two-and-a-half years at the Etihad, creating plenty of headlines off the pitch.

He has worked wonders at Milan and Liverpool – bringing his total Premier League goals to 21 in 70 appearances.

Italy team 36 goals later joins Nice, Marseille, Brescia and Monza, the last three teams only one season each.

Newcastle, fresh from their Saudi-backed takeover earlier in the season, had the money to splurge.

They spent £12 million on Kieran Trippier and met Chris Wood’s £25m Burnley Release Clause to strengthen their squad as they battle to avoid relegation.

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