Balotelli claims he's close to signing for another new club after Brescia exit

Mario Balotelli has indicated that he is close to signing for another new club after ending his spell with Italian side Brescia.

The 30-year-old striker, who has played for both Manchester City and Liverpool - winning the Premier League with the former - is currently a free agent after Brescia's relegation to Serie B last season.

The former Italy international has been linked with possible moves to Vasco da Gama in Brazil and various clubs in Asia, while Championship side Watford were also keen on signing the player, although no move has yet materialised.

But speaking on a video link-up with his brother Enock Barwuah, who is on the Italian version of Big Brother, Balotelli was asked about where his future lies after leaving Brescia.

And he said: 'I still don't play, in a few weeks I'll sign, don't worry,' Goal have reported.

Serie A side Genoa's hopes of signing Balotelli also look to have faded, although MLS could still be an option for the nomadic forward.

French newspaper L’Equipe have reported that Ligue 1 side St Etienne also made an approach but talks broke down.

There were hopes Balotelli would settle down at his hometown club Brescia, who he joined as a free agent in August 2019, but his time there ended badly.

After reportedly failing to report back after the coronavirus lockdown in the summer he was publicly criticised for a lack of discipline by his then coach Diego Lopez.

'There’s only one truth here: the team have followed one path, Mario has followed another. I thought he could give so much, playing in the city of his birthplace,' Lopez told Sky Italia in June.

'He had a lot to give but he had to do more, much more. These are the facts. Therefore, it’s normal that there’s disappointment.

'I spent a lot of time on him. He didn’t even show up on Zoom during quarantine.'

Before joining Brescia last year Balotelli - who has earned 36 Italy caps and also played for both AC and Inter Milan - had spells in France with Nice and Marseille.