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‘Would love this’, ‘Please no’ – Insider names Mario Balotelli as West Ham striker target, some fans react

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According to reliable West Ham insider EXWHUEmployee on his Phoenix FM podcast (Wednesday 12th June), Mario Balotelli is being considered this summer.

West Ham are lining up a number of cheaper alternatives to solve the striker problem. With the budget limited, the Irons are forced to look for loans and free agents in certain areas.

Balotelli is one of a handful of players who fit the bill. The 28-year-old is a free agent, having left Marseille after his short-term contract expired.

The hot-headed striker only joined Marseille in January. He left Nice and scored eight times in 12 games for Marseille, who cannot afford to keep him.

Mario Balotelli: return to England?

(Photo by Sebastien Bozon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

West Ham could offer the Italy international a route back to the Premier League. Balotelli has spent four seasons in England: three at Manchester City and one at Liverpool.

His time in the Premier League was box office. Balotelli provided spectators with goals, outrageous skill, sulks, intriguing celebrations and off-the-field wild antics.

With Balotelli and Marko Arnautovic in attack for West Ham, there will never be a dull moment. But is it worth having two tempestuous strikers in the same position?

Here are some tweets from Hammers supporters discussing the Balotelli news.