Arsenal willing to pay big bucks for Mad Mario?

After another season of just scrapping fourth Arsenal know they need to make some changes if they are to compete in an increasingly difficult domestic league and so manager Arsene Wenger’s attention has turned to a controversial striker.

According to the Daily Express, working hard or hardly working AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli could be making his return to the Premier League just one season after he left it.

The ex-Manchester City man is currently in Brazil enjoying tormenting England supporters with his quick moves and his always lethal goal threat as he fights to lead Italy into the knockout round.

AC Milan’s president Silvio Berlusconi is said to be reluctant to sell his star player for less than £29.5M which if the Gunners meet this asking price will see Balotelli earning £180,000 per week!

Super Mario, as he is affectionately known, has scored 14 goals from 30 Serie A games so despite his poor reputation if Wenger can assimilate him into the squad and get him playing at his best then Balotelli would undoubtedly add some more star quality to the North London outfit.

On the other hand, negative press does seem to follow Balotelli wherever he goes and if ex-manager and compatriot Roberto Mancini couldn’t get Mario to focus then would Wenger fare any better?

Arsenal supporters. Are you excited to be linked with Mario Balotelli? Do you think he would have a positive or negative influence on your team? Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LaFootyettes.