The Gunners could have landed the striker but Wenger was dubious.
Read the latest Balotelli Liverpool news.
Although Liverpool are on the verge of signing Mario Balotelli from AC Milan, Arsenal actually agreed a deal to sign the striker earlier this summer.
According to Italian football journalist Tancredi Palmeri the Gunners tied up a £24m fee for Balotelli before manager Arsene Wenger changed his mind.
Wenger was unsure about the 24-year-old’s reliability and decided to turn his attentions elsewhere as a result.
Milan’s goal was to match offer received from Monaco in first half of June (21m€) and that they refused cause in talks with Arsenal for 30m€
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) August 21, 2014
For those asking, Arsenal’s deal with Balotelli fell through cause after World Cup Wenger wasn’t convinced of his reliability
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) August 21, 2014
This could come as something of a disappointment to fans at the Emirates Stadium who have been unconvinced by the credentials of Olivier Giroud for some time.
Although the £35m acquisition of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona was greeted with excitement, the Chile international is not an out-and-out striker and currently Giroud and youngster Yaya Sanogo are the only options as a No.9.
The Reds have seized their opportunity though and will sign Balotelli for a fee in the region of £16m, with weekly wages of around £90,000.
The Italy international returns to the Premier League just 18 months after leaving Manchester City, where he won both the FA Cup and league title.
READ MORE: Arsenal transfer news.
COMMENTS