Sampdoria president would like to sign Mario Balotelli: 'He'd be the real Balotelli again here'

Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero believes that Mario Balotelli would be revived at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

With only one Premier League goal to his name through 14 appearances, Balotelli is being linked with a move away from Liverpool at the end of the season. He's only appeared in one of the Merseyside club's last seven matches, and Ferrero is under the impression that his wages may be responsible for the dip in form.

"I would take him - he'd be the real Balotelli again here," Ferrero told La Gazzetta dello Sport, as translated by ESPN FC. "He wouldn't have too much pressure here in Genoa."

Ferrero added: "He's lost his hunger. He's earning too much. If he was only on bread and water, he'd be a champion again."

Perhaps Ferrero's interest in Balotelli stems from the player occasionally wearing a snood, as the president has a bizarre fascination with scarves.