Genoa pursue Balotelli after Pereiro signing

Genoa are not content with just signing Gaston Pereiro and is actively seeking to further strengthen their attack from the free agent market. Calciomercato report that manager Alberto Gilardino, coming off a heavy 5-1 defeat to Atalanta and winless since the second match of the season, has urgently requested reinforcements.

The Rossoblu find themselves fully embroiled in the relegation battle after a run of four losses and a draw in their last five outings. While the club has renewed its faith in Gilardino, there’s a clear expectation for a significant response in character from the team in upcoming matches against Bologna, Lazio, and Fiorentina.

A series of injuries to key players like Badelj, Vitinha, Messias, Frendrup, Malinovskyi, and Ekuban have compounded Gilardino’s challenges. The summer departures of Gudmundsson and Retegui without adequate replacements have further complicated matters.

While Gaston Pereiro’s arrival from Ternana brings quality to the attacking midfield, Genoa still lacks experience and guile in the final third. This is where Mario Balotelli, currently a free agent, could potentially fill the void. The 34-year-old striker, who last played for Adana Demirspor in Turkey, has been waiting for the right opportunity to return to action.

Balotelli has reportedly turned down offers from more exotic leagues, believing he can still make an impact in Serie A. He’s been training hard in his hometown of Brescia, and initial contact has been made with Gilardino, who has expressed preliminary approval for the move.

However, Genoa’s delicate financial situation under 777 Partners ownership presents a potential hurdle. Without their green light, the deal cannot proceed. The coming hours will be crucial in determining whether Genoa can secure another significant addition to their squad after Pereiro.