Marseille step up chase for Balotelli

French giants Marseille have stepped up their efforts to recruit Italian striker Mario Balotelli from Nice, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italian is set to leave les Aiglons in the summer transfer window, but even though his contract is due to expire at the end of the month, the 27-year-old is highly unlikely to leave on a free transfer.

Namely, Nice have the option to extend the deal for a further year, and they will only let Balotelli leave if an interested side match his €10 million release clause.

However, that did not put off main suitors Marseille, who plan to wrap up the deal before the new kit is presented on 4th July.

L’OM want Balotelli to lead the front line at Stade Velodrome next season, with the likes of Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin playing behind him.