Mario Balotelli has impressed Real Madrid directors so much they are ready to splurge £14m on the Inter teenager.
The 18-year-old striker made the step up from the youth team midway through last season and is now a regular pushing Hernan Crespo into the stands.
According to the latest reports emanating from Spain, Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster has been hugely impressed by the youngster.
The club is eager to get in early for a summer £14m bid before his price-tag rises further, especially with interest from Chelsea also rumoured.
This is a deal that could happen, as earlier this year Balotelli publicly complained at the low wages he was on at San Siro and hinted he could walk away.
Balotelli’s story is an intriguing one, as he was born in Palermo of Ghanaian parents and taken in by his foster family in Brescia at the age of two.
Despite growing up with the Balotelli family and never having lived outside of Italy, red tape over the difference between foster care and adoption meant he was not allowed to have Italian citizenship until he turned 18 in August.
This also blocked off his international career, but he scored on his Under-21 debut and is tipped for a quick move up to the senior Azzurri squad.
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