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Nice striker Mario Balotelli wants to return to Italy this summer

Nice's Italian forward Mario Balotelli looks on before the UEFA Europa League football match, Lazio versus Nice, on November 2, 2017 at Rome's Olympic stad
Image: Mario Balotelli will be a free agent this summer after two seasons with Nice

Mario Balotelli wants to return to play in Italy after two years in France with Nice.

Balotelli has scored 39 goals since arriving at the Ligue 1 side on a free transfer in August 2016 following spells at Liverpool and AC Milan.

"I'd like to go back to Italy," the 27-year-old told Calciomercato.com. "There are many teams following me, but I can say that AC Milan are not one of them. There's no chance of me returning to the Rossoneri.

"Nice? I almost definitely won't stay, even if I don't know yet for certain. More than likely, this will be my final season here, despite it being my best one in France."

Balotelli, who has scored 15 goals in Ligue 1 this season, is out of contract this summer.

He started his career at Lumezzane before moving to Inter Milan while still a teenager.

Balotelli was part of the Inter side coached by Jose Mourinho, now of Manchester United, that won the Champions League in 2010.

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Mario Balotelli reveals his 'Why always me?' t-shirt after scoring in Manchester City's 6-1 win at Manchester United
Image: Balotelli reveals his 'Why always me?' t-shirt after scoring in Manchester City's 6-1 win at Manchester United

He also won three Serie A titles with Inter before switching to Manchester City and helping them claim the Premier League crown.

But subsequent spells with Milan and Liverpool were much less successful before he started to resurrect his career at Nice.

Balotelli has scored 13 goals in 33 appearances for Italy but has not been picked since the 2014 World Cup.