‘Decide on Your Future’ – Vieira Fires Balotelli

‘Decide on Your Future’ – Vieira Fires Balotelli

Controversial Italian striker Mario Balotelli has been given extended leave by French outfit Nice and told to make up his mind about his plans with the club.

Signed at the Ligue 1 outfit until the end of the 2018-2019 season, the 28-year-old has scored 33 goals in 51 games since joining the club in 2016.

But French football watchers feel Patrick Vieira — who took over as coach in June and has overseen just seven wins in 18 league matches — is ready to transfer Balotelli during the winter break after a breakdown in relations with the forward.

“I have given Mario a few extra days off to think about his future and what he wants to do,” said Vieira, who played alongside the striker at Manchester City and Inter Milan.

“He’s under contract here and everything is possible if we can come to a common agreement who knows,” said Vieira.

Balotelli came close to a move to Marseille over the summer and returned to training late and unfit after the deal fell through.

He’s reportedly being targeted by clubs in Turkey and England following a lack of playing time since Vieira took over this year.