Nice ace Mario Balotelli wants Italy return and admits interest in Juventus and Napoli switch
Former Liverpool and Manchester City star has impressed during his time in French football and is now being chased by a series of Serie A clubs
MARIO BALOTELLI says he is ready to make a return to Serie A - after finally growing up.
Balotelli has made a big impression during his two year spell at nice and is now on the verge of being recalled to the national team.
The 27-year-old is expected to be named in the Italy squad for their friendly matches against Argentina and England later this month.
Balotelli last week scored his 21st goal of the season for Nice and he is now in the plans of interim Italian boss Luigi Di Bagio.
But he is becoming an increasing target for a host of Serie A clubs, with Juventus, Napoli, Inter and AC Milan all said to be monitoring his performances.
And Balotelli admits the prospect of going home to Italy is one that is attracting him because he says he has now matured as a person.
Balotelli said: "My agent Mino Raiola is taking care of my future. All I know is that I have matured and I am ready to come back to Italy.
"I think it'd be very difficult to come to Milan, as it would be the third time, but Juventus and Napoli are two teams that I like."
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The striker has enjoyed three spells playing in Milan - at Inter where he emerged as a youngster with prodigious talent and two separate occasions with AC.
At club level he is now growing in popularity, and it seems his international career could also be set for a revival now Gian Piero Ventura is no longer in the job.
Speaking on Rai show La Domenica Sport, Balotelli added: "Last season Ventura came to Nice before the game with PSG.
"We had a long talk, but I realised straight away that he wasn't ever going to call me up for his team.
"I deserved to be called up, though. Now he is no longer on the bench and I am ready to come back for the Azzurri."