Mario Balotelli Pursued By Serie A Newcomers

Mario Balotelli is being pursued by Crotone, a team that just recently secured promotion into Serie A for the first time in their history.

Balotelli's single season with Liverpool before being loaned off to AC Milan was a phenomenal disappointment for all involved. Balotelli, originally eager to join the Reds, if his Instagram feed was any indication, failed to find any sort of good form, especially after the season-long injuries to his intended partner, Daniel Sturridge. Now told he has no future with Liverpool and AC Milan will not be pursuing resigning the Italian international on a permanent basis now that his loan has ended, Balotelli may have found a lifeline.

Crotone president, Raffaele Vrenna, went on record saying that Crotone may be the perfect next step in Balotelli's career. "Will we bring a top player to Crotone? We have a good reputation for revitalizing the careers of players having a difficult time," Vrenna said. "In that case, why not go for Balotelli?"

Wherever Super Mario ends up next season, it almost certainly won't be at Anfield. With several superior striking options already at manager Jürgen Klopp's disposal -- and likely more on the way -- Balotelli would be surplus to requirements. But while his career in Merseyside didn't work out the way most hoped it would, we still wish him well in whatever he does next.