West Ham United have been linked with a summer move for free agent striker Mario Balotelli.

According to Turkish media outlet Aspor, West Ham are ready to challenge Galatasaray for the signature of Mario Balotelli, who will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.

West Ham are no strangers to maverick characters with the likes of Julian Dicks, Paolo Di Canio, Carlos Tevez, Dimitri Payet and Marko Arnautovic just a few examples over the years.

Balotelli joined Ligue 1 side Nice in the summer of 2016, and has rejuvenated a flagging career with some impressive performances and stats in France, scoring 43 goals in 66 games over two seasons.

The Italian was a controversial figure during his time with Manchester City and Liverpool with carved out an unwanted reputation as something of a trouble maker both on and off the pitch.

However the West Ham-linked striker seems to have matured during his time with Nice winning back his place in the Italy squad.

At 27, Balotelli potentially still has a lot to offer at the highest level.

His availability on a free transfer and his goalscoring exploits in the last two seasons could make him an interesting prospect for clubs this summer.

And that is not lost on West Ham fans who seem to be warming to the possibility of new boss Manuel Pellegrini snapping Super Mario up on a free transfer.

He would be reunited with former Inter Milan teammate Arnautovic if he did move to East London.

Hammers supporters have taken to Twitter to discuss the potential signing and a large number were in favour of the move.

This content could not be loaded So the maverick Balotelli is a free agent as of the 30th June.



Would you take a chance on him at West Ham?



Yes: RETWEET

No: LIKE pic.twitter.com/ZUxLsMklSz — Jay WEST AAAAAAAM’ (@hammerandtalk) May 24, 2018

This content could not be loaded 100% — Adam Leatherbarrow (@AdamLeatherbar1) May 24, 2018

This content could not be loaded 18 goals in 28, 6 goals in 7 matches in Europa. Has to be doing something right though. But to me if it’s what the Gaffer wants, I’ll back it. #InPellegriniITrust — SmokeyJones (@Gingerbr3d) May 24, 2018

This content could not be loaded Get him in!!! A fool if you didn’t want him, 24 goals last season. — ⚒⚒Tony⚒⚒coyi⚒⚒ (@tony_coyi3) May 24, 2018

This content could not be loaded He’s had a big change this season to be fair and we all know the talent is there — Callum Massie (@Callum_Massie) May 24, 2018

This content could not be loaded Oi, West Ham, can we get Balotelli on a free or what? #COYI — Lukas (@lu_thirty_1) May 24, 2018

This content could not be loaded @ExWHUemployee any possibility we move for Balotelli on a free? Would love him at West Ham!! Need another nutty Italian, not had one for a while. — ⚒⚒Tony⚒⚒coyi⚒⚒ (@tony_coyi3) May 22, 2018

This content could not be loaded Balotelli and Arnie up top — West Hammers (@mywhu0511) May 21, 2018

This content could not be loaded I want Balotelli at @WestHamUtd — Jordan⚒ (@MichailDiCanio) May 20, 2018

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