Jol shows interest in Balotelli

Fulham boss Martin Jol has declared his interest in signing Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

But he admits the Italian would ‘probably cost more than the Mona Lisa’.

Jol is reportedly keen on bolstering his squad after losing key players Clint Dempsey and Mousa Dembele late on in the summer transfer window, while also suffering from injuries to the likes of Mohammadou Diarra and Brian Ruiz.

And when asked whether he would consider a bid for Balotelli, Jol did not deny his interest in the 22-year-old, but admitted a he could only consider a fee of under 10 million pounds.

“He would probably cost more than the Mona Lisa but if I could get him for seven million pounds I would be interested,” Jol said.

Jol stated his usual distaste for signing players in January, but he admitted that he may have to make an exception this season due to the current circumstances he faces at Craven Cottage.

“We never do much business (in January) because I feel that is a bad signal,” the Dutchman said.

“We lost a few players two or three days before the close of the transfer window and that didn’t help because I felt we were the only club in the Premier League who suffered big time.

“We picked up a few solutions but we’re still building and if we can strengthen the squad then we will but not big time.”