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Transfers - Gossip Shop: Balotelli for Hammers

Eurosport - Tue, 21 Apr 19:41:00 2009

Sadly, Italy's latest boy wonder Mario Balotelli has been targeted by racists, but out of all things bad comes some good.

2008-2009 Internazionale Mario Balotelli - 0

Just to prove that every cloud has a sliver lining, West Ham could well be set to benefit from the behaviour of the mindless idiots who hurled abuse at the Internazionale striker at the weekend.

The 18-year-old Italy U21 international, born to Ghanaian parents in Palermo but raised by an Italian family in Brescia, was taunted about his heritage during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Juventus.

Both Inter and Juve have been quick to condemn the actions of the brainless Bianconeri fans - culminating in a quickly-delivered stadium ban for Juve - but the damage might already have been done and Balotelli may be ready to look for pastures new.

At least that is what Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is thinking.

The Daily Mirror reports that the Italian tactician is keen on luring his compatriot to Upton Park where he would be able to enjoy life in the altogether more enlightened world of the Premier League.

With Zola's connections at Italy U21 level, he is sure to have the inside track on the muscular youngster, who has netted six times in Serie A this season - no mean feat considering the defensive quality of the Italian top flight.

Sticking with the kids for a moment, it has emerged that Brazilian starlets Fabio and Rafael Da Silva spurned Arsenal in favour of moving to Manchester United.

Arsene Wenger was interested by the twins, as were Real Madrid , but the defensive duo were lured to Old Trafford because "everyone knows them". Hmm. Unlike Real?

No matter, the important thing is that the brothers are enjoying life at United, not least because of the great sense of humour pervading the club.

Left-back Fabio told the Daily Mail: "Senhor Alex (Ferguson) has always been very supportive of us. He likes to know what people are like on and off the field. He jokes around with us.

"Rio (Ferdinand) is a great friend of ours. He has been great. He's the biggest joker of them all."

He's not wrong. If you need any further proof, take a look at the new Ferdinand-backed quarterly lifestyle digital magazine, entitled, rather humbly, Rio. Or perhaps his shoot-out penalty at Wembley.

Down to the Midlands now, where Premier League newboys Wolves have signalled their intent to make a mark on the top flight by targeting Michael Mancienne.

The England U21 defender spent a successful two months on loan at Molineux earlier in the season and Mick McCarthy is keen for a reunion, albeit an expensive one - the Daily Star reckons it will cost him £4 million to lure the defender away from Chelsea .

Over at Tottenham, Harry Redknapp's one-man mission to bring back any player sold before he took over has hit a snag after Federic Kanoute admitted he struggled to handle the pace of the English top flight.

The Sevilla ace said: "I enjoyed playing football a lot in the Premier League, but I was a bit tired."

If he was tired four years ago, the 31-year-old wouldn't stand a chance these days. Time to look elsewhere Harry.

In other tittle-tattle, Everton target Joao Moutinho has penned a new deal with Sporting, effectively ending David Moyes's hopes of bringing the Portugal international to Goodison Park.

And finally, veteran Derby defender Andy Todd could be the latest ageing pro to sell up and head to the other side of the world to end his career, joining the likes of Robbie Fowler in Australia's A-League.

"The boy Andy Todd, who's playing at Derby, we've been interested in him," Perth Glory boss Dave Mitchell said, not mincing any words at all.

Eurosport

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  1. tevez_united, we Spurs fans don't want Berbaslob­ back. Although i feel sorry for the fans getting a lazy­ player like him for £30 million, i don't feel sorry­ for Fergie. He made it clear he wanted Berba and it has­ proved that it was the wrong decision. I would have­ paid the money for Tevez instead of buying that sulky,­ lazy waste of space.

    From thfc05, on Tue 21 Apr 3:36PM

  2. west ham is the perfect place for youngsters to learn­ their trade. im not going to bother listing them just­ check the england team out its full of them.

    From ben, on Tue 21 Apr 3:21PM

  3. "With Zola's connections at Italy U21 level,­ he is sure to have the inside track on the muscular­ youngster, who has netted six times in Serie A this­ season - no mean feat considering the defensive quality­ of the Italian top flight."

    Seriously do people­ still believe that awful myth about the Italian league­ being hard to score in?

    From Sean, on Tue 21 Apr 3:14PM

  4. Gianfranco Zola eats chinchillas

    From Leonard Nimoy, on Tue 21 Apr 2:49PM

  5. Juve has (and has had) lots of black players­ themselves, e.g. Sissoko. Drogba and Essien scored­ there lately: any racist boo? Muntary and Vieira­ (former Juve player!) were also playing for Inter on­ Sunday. Any boo?
    It is right to condemn the insults,­ it is ok to punish Juve for what happened, despite the­ president condemning all that. However, Juve fans are­ the least aggressive at all.
    Check out Balotelli:­ assume Drogba goes to the ManU curve and pulls out the­ middle finger. Or he goes to Mr Ferguson's bench­ and does the gesture of silencing him. Don't you­ believe that whatever defender would end his career­ within 5 minutes? That's Balotelli. The English­ complain about Rooney's behaviour, but compared to­ Balotelli he is absolutely a lord. Ask Cristinao­ Ronaldo, who was insulted hard by Mario the­ gentleman.
    That said, to mention that he is black while­ insulting him is unworthy, coward and pointless, a sign­ of deep ignorance. But players like him just provoke­ incidents in the stadiums. And that just being 18. He­ is lucky that Materazzi plays in his own team...

    From Giovanni T, on Tue 21 Apr 2:33PM

  6. Man United:

    Sell - Berbatov back to Spurs for anything­ we can get.

    Buy - Miguel Veloso & David Villa or­ Karim Benzema, or both!

    From G, on Tue 21 Apr 2:23PM

  7. I agree with no. 5. Just because of racist Juve fans­ Balotelli wants to join West Ham? Of all teams? Very­ humungous joke.

    From Sebastian, on Tue 21 Apr 2:12PM

  8. please do somthing about these spam posts, the low­ rating thing is ok but i have to open them to see if i­ like what a poster has said thus in this thread i still­ get stuck with 3 spams

    From Rich, on Tue 21 Apr 2:11PM

  9. Why are the Italians even allowed a league or be­ involved in Cups - If this was in England Platini and­ Blatter would probably ban the English league for 50­ years its Racism for crying out loud get tough on it or­ you as bad as the racists.

    From leejthomson, on Tue 21 Apr 2:08PM

  10. rofl no way

    From nBz., on Tue 21 Apr 2:07PM

  11. no way!

    From naca, on Tue 21 Apr 2:05PM

  12. Super Mario is my man, stay with Inter or go to a big­ English club, not West Ham though.

    From Liam, on Tue 21 Apr 2:02PM

  13. Balotelli's going nowhere
    Just because of some of­ the moronic Juventus fans he suddenly wants to join­ West Ham?
    I know it's titled 'Gossip Shop'­ but come on...

    From kieran_edmondo, on Tue 21 Apr 1:52PM

  14. mmm interesting...

    From Renan, on Tue 21 Apr 1:52PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I'm now suggestiong a HO_T FRE_E social dating_­ site called *** MilLounge C OM *** which I have joined.­ I think it is interesting and you will like it.

    From Kyra E, on Tue 21 Apr 1:07PM
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