NafisaMarcel Brands has revealed that he had to interfere and stop Everton owner Farhad Moshiri from signing Mario Balotelli, the former Liverpool striker whose Anfield career is largely remembered for its failure and controversy off the field.
The controversial Italian forward, who had moved to Liverpool in 2014 following the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, struggled throughout his time at the club, making just 28 appearances before being loaned out to AC Milan in his hometown italy.
Despite this, Moshiri was reportedly keen on bringing him to Goodison Park, a move that Brands quickly blocked by Marcel Brands.
Now PSV Eindhoven’s president, Brands shared the story in an interview with Algemeen Dagblad, revealing a conversation with the late ‘super agent’ Mino Raiola during negotiations for Juventus youngster Moise Kean.
Raiola, known for his ability to broker high-profile transfers, suggested to Brands that Everton should also sign Balotelli, proposing a striking partnership between the two. “Mino said: ‘Why not bring Mario Balotelli too, guys?'” Brands recalled.
“That seemed to Raiola a great strike duo for the Premier League club. They were both fast, skillful and strong, and he thought they would be complementary.”
As tempting as it seemed to the agent, Brands was quick to dismiss the idea. “It was already a gamble with Kean,” he said. “Adding Balotelli would have been practically asking for trouble.”
Brands, mindful of the club’s long-term strategy, made it clear to Raiola that the signing wasn’t feasible. “I went to eat with Mino afterwards, and he said: ‘You’re beautiful, you Brands’,” he laughed.
Moshiri, who had a reputation for often being luring by big-money ideas, was initially keen on the move.
However, Brands, responsible for the club’s technical direction, managed to steer the situation away from disaster. “He was super smart, if you let go of the steering wheel for a moment, he would sail in the other direction,” Brands said.
Balotelli’s career has since taken him across France, Turkey, Italy, and Switzerland. At 34, he now finds himself back in Italy with Serie A side Genoa, signing a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the season.
Nafisa
