Striker Mario Balotelli has poured cold water on rumours that he could be in for a surprise return to Inter Milan as injury cover.
Balotelli spoke to Italian news outlet TvPlay, via FCInterNews, quashing any suggestions of his being an emergency replacement for the injured Marko Arnautovic, and also expressed a preference for Marcus Thuram over Romelu Lukaku.
Striker Arnautovic looks as though he’ll be on the sidelines for a couple months.
This is no small problem for Inter considering that Arnautovic is one of only four senior forwards in the team.
Coping with just three players in two positions across a period of several weeks that sees the team playing twice per week is hardly ideal for the Nerazzurri.
And there have been some suggestions of an emergency signing coming in. Inter would have to find an option available on a free transfer.
And Balotelli’s name is one that has come up.
But the former Inter and Manchester City striker and Italian international has definitely dismissed this notion.
Mario Balotelli Quashes Rumours Of Shock Inter Milan Return
Regarding the Inter rumours, Balotelli left no doubts. “No,” he said. “I’m fine here at Adana,” his current club Adana Demirspor in the Turkish Super Lig.
Balotelli also gave the view that “Inter can win the Scudetto this season.”
“I see them being ahead of Juventus and Milan at the moment,” he continued.
“The way they are playing right now, Inter are certainly better.”
Balotelli continued that “In terms of both quality and depth, they’re a very strong team.”
He also said that “Marko Arnautovic is a great player, he’s a good signing for Inter.”
“I hope that he can return as soon as possible,” Balotelli said. “To score goals, and be a wild card for the team.”
He noted that “It’s not easy to replace Dzeko.”
The former striker said of Arnautovic that “He’s a phenomenon. I played with him, he’s a real phenomenon.”
“Dzeko played in the final in Lukaku’s place.”
And Balotelli also gave his thoughts between current Inter striker Marcus Thuram and former Nerazzurri man Romelu Lukaku.
“Based on my understanding of football,I like Thuram much more,” he said.
“But in Conte’s time at Inter, Lukaku was devastating.”
“Thuram is more technical, more someone who links up with teammates,” Balotelli said. “Lukaku is more of a player with pure power.”