Newcastle have been moved into third favourites to sign the enigmatic Mario Balotelli this summer.

What's the word?

It’s no secret that Rafael Benitez is desperately searching for a proven goalscorer to sign this summer, so could Mario Balotelli be the answer?

Bet Victor have moved Newcastle into 8/1 to sign the Italian striker, who is set to leave Nice this season.

Only Napoli (5/1) and Roma (6/1) are shorter odds than the Magpies, both of whom are less in need of a goalscorer than Benitez’s side. Everton and West Ham are the other two English teams tipped to be in for the striker, at 10/1 and 12/1 respectively.

Fans may turn their noses up at the idea of signing the former Liverpool man, but he is exactly the type of wild card that Benitez could tame into a superstar.

A maverick made for the Magpies?

Mario Balotelli’s last stint in England was quite simply a disaster. The maverick striker scored just one league goal for Liverpool, and only found the net once in his season long loan in Milan the following year.

Since moving to Ligue 1 side Nice on a free transfer though, the 27 year-old has grabbed an impressive 33 league goals in 50 appearances.

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The electric Italian has found the net 26 times in all competitions this season, numbers Newcastle fans could only dream of from their struggling front men.

Balotelli of course has some excess baggage, but not too long ago who’d have believed the entire nation would be furious about the World Cup snub of Jonjo Shelvey? Benitez is one of the few managers that has what it takes to tame the striker, just like he did with Shelvey.

Balotelli has pace, power, and has proven time and time again he has the type of superstar talent that Newcastle so desperately need, talent that can turn a game in an instant.

So, Newcastle fans, do you think Benitez could tame the ex-Manchester City man? Would you take a punt on Balotelli? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…