Sampdoria chief admits Balotelli interest

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Mario Balotelli could be handed an opportunity to "relaunch" his career with Sampdoria.

Despite the Italian forward's cocky proclamation that he can win the Ballon d'Or upon returning to Liverpool training last week, it appears that he could instead chase his seemingly insurmountable target in Genoa rather than Merseyside.

Related - ​Balotelli: 'I will win the Ballon d'Or'

"Balotelli is Balotelli’s worst enemy," Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero is quoted as saying in the Liverpool Echo. "Like (Antonio) Cassano is Cassano's worst enemy.

"He could relaunch (his career) at a passionate club like ours, but he's still a bit confused. I've tried to tell him to come to Samp because he's a great talent."

Or was a great talent, some may offer. Four years ago, Balotelli had just helped Manchester City to its first league title in 44 years, and then starred in Italy's run to the Euro 2012 final, bagging three goals along the way.

Today, Balotelli, 25, comes off the back of a dour return to AC Milan on loan, where he managed a paltry one goal over 20 league appearances. In two seasons with Liverpool and the Rossoneri, he has just two league strikes.

"On the scale of 0 to 10, I stopped at five," he admitted on his first day back at the Reds' Melwood training ground. "But I'll get to 10 eventually."

Liverpool begins its preparations for the 2016-17 campaign with a friendly at nearby Tranmere Rovers on July 8.