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Balotelli billed as €100m striker by Nice team-mate Plea

A colleague of the enigmatic Italian believes anyone landing a man set to drop into the free agent pool this summer will be getting quite the bargain

Nice striker Alassane Plea says Mario Balotelli would command a €100 million transfer fee in the current market.

After struggling for goals and consistency in Serie A and the Premier League, Balotelli has found his groove again in Ligue 1.

Since arriving in Nice the 27-year-old has scored 39 goals in all competitions, including 14 in the league this season.

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His contract at the Allianz Riviera is set to expire at the end of the season and – should he leave – strike partner Plea believes Balotelli would be a great signing.

“I have learned a lot from him,” Plea told Marca.

“He is a very efficient striker.

“Training with him is great for me, and I learn a lot from him. Balotelli speaks to me a lot and I owe a lot of my progression to him.

“I would pay [€100m for Balotelli]. He scores a lot of goals, at least 20 per season. And given the prices in today’s football, I would pay €100m for him.”

Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, has previously suggested that a man he considers to be among the world’s top 10 strikers would demand a nine-figure sum on the open market.

He RAI: “Mario is ready to come back to Italy. He is one of the 10 best strikers in the world, and the number one in Italy.

“He is worth €100m, but he is a free agent so he is a bargain.”