Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mario Balotelli to Arsenal: Transfer could be hindered by £5m-per-year AFTER tax salary demands

Arsenal have been linked with a move for the former Manchester City striker but any deal appears to be far from complete

Jack de Menezes

Wednesday 23 July 2014 09:23 BST

Mario Balotelli is being linked with a big-money move to Arsenal (Getty Images)

Italy striker Mario Balotelli is believed to be looking for £5m-per-year in wages after tax if he is to join Arsenal, meaning the Gunner would have to pay him a staggering £190,000-a-week-plus if they are to lure him from AC Milan.

Balotelli has been linked with a Premier League return with Arsenal showing the biggest interest in the former Manchester City striker, although they have also kept an interest in Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.

While moves for the latter two appear to be off – Remy is closing on a move to Liverpool while Benzema is likely to remain with Real Madrid – Arsenal could still attempt to land the controversial Balotelli, but his reported salary demands could hinder any deal between the two parties.

The Daily Mail reports that the Gunners’ hierarchy would be willing to offer up to £100,000-a-week before tax, with around £16m being put up to secure the transfer from the Italian club.

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Show all 14

1/14Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Sami Khedira

The World Cup winner looks to be heading to the Emirates if the reports are to be believed, as the Real Madrid midfielder looks set for a £26m switch to the Gunners. Having turned down a new contract and just a year remaining on his current deal, Khedira could soon be Arsenal's latest big-name signing.

Getty Images

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Douglas Costa

Costa is one of six Brazilian players refusing to return to Shaktar Donetsk due to the increasing political unrest in Ukraine. Arsene Wenger is reported to be interested in the 23-year-old, with the Gunners reported to be preparing a move for the attacking midfielder.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Morgan Schneiderlin

Schneiderlin is a transfer target for the Gunners' fierce rivals Tottenham, but Arsenal are reported to have held talks with the 25-year-old Frenchman over a move that would see him snub Spurs. The midfielder would fill the defensive role that Arsenal are currently lacking.

Getty Images

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

John Ruddy

The Norwich goalkeeper would be a shock signing for Arsenal, but rumours have linked the England stopper with a move. Arsenal do need another goalkeeper to replace Lukasz Fabianski, but it is worth noting that Ruddy was part of a side that were relegated last season and conceded the third highest number of goals. The arrival of David Ospina has made it even less likely.

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Iker Casillas

Another goalkeeper linked with Arsenal this summer is Real Madrid stopper Casillas. He's not been the favourite at the Bernabeu for a couple of seasons now and his disastrous World Cup has led to speculation he could move on. Again, the arrival of Ospina makes Arsenal's need for him not so desperate, but Wenger may not want to pass up the chance to sign such an experienced keeper.

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Michy Batshuayi

The Standard Liege star has already stated that he expects to leave at the end of the season, preferring to move to either England or Germany and recently admitting that Arsenal are his favourite team. The 20-year-old striker is the top scorer in the Belgian league this season. Batshuayi can also operate on the wing and has been linked with Everton and Napoli. Arsenal are said to be willing to pay his release clause, which is understood to be £6.5m.

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Javi Martinez

Arsenal are believed to be one of a number of clubs looking at Bayern Munich defender/midfielder Martinez should he become available in the summer. He would not come cheaply though, given the Bavarian club activated his €40m release fee to sign him in 2012.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Julian Draxler

A move during the January transfer window failed to materialise over Draxler's £37m release clause with Arsenal unwilling to pay the hefty fee, according to Schalke's sporting director. The German international was also said to be a target for Bayern Munich in case Toni Kroos failed to sign a new deal with the Bundesliga champions. However, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has ruled out a summer move for the highly-rated 20-year-old. Arsenal will have to change their stance over the transfer fee to acquire the attacker with several big clubs interested.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Juanfran

With Bacary Sagna confirming he will leave at the end of the season, Arsenal look short in the right-back department. A reported £9m move for Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran was rejected, but the Gunners could return for his services should they up their bid.

Getty Images

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Josip Drmic

Arsenal have been linked with the Nurnberg striker recently after Lothar Matthaus claimed on Sky Germany that the Gunners had already signed the 21-year-old. Wenger is said to be keen to bring in the Swiss striker before the World Cup this summer. Drmic is a wanted man after scoring 16 goals in the Bundesliga this season despite his club battling against relegation. Drmic, who has three-years left on his current deal, is reported to have a release clause of less than £5m. Only Bayern Munich star Mario Mandzukic, Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski and Hertha Berlin striker Adrian Ramos have scored more league goals than Drmic this season.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Sebastian Jung

Eintracht Frankfurt defender Jung has been monitored by Arsenal this season. The 23-year-old has been one of their best players this season as the Bundesliga side recovered from a bad start to move clear of the relegation battle once they were eliminated from the Europa League. The German could be available for a fee in the region of £2m but the Gunners may face competition from Wolfsburg.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Atsuto Uchida

Uchida will travel to Brazil for the World Cup as part of Japan's national team, but the Schalke defender could see himself become the subject of interest from Arsenal as they seek a replacement for Bacary Sagna.

Getty Images

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Salomon Kalou

The former Chelsea forward, currently at Lille in France, is interested in a return to the Premier League. To the dismay of Arsenal fans the Ivory Coast international has been linked once again to a move to the Emirates. Kalou could be available for a fee in the region of £2.5m this summer despite still having two years remaining on his current deal at the Ligue 1 side.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Juan Quintero

Having impressed at the World Cup, Quintero could be on the move just 12 months after joining Porto. Arsenal have been linked with a £15.8m bid for the Colombia midfielder who impressed at the World Cup.

Getty Images

Balotelli joined Milan after Roberto Mancini lost his patience with his compatriot last year, following a string of on-field tantrums and off-the-field incidents that included setting his own house on fire. He joined the Italian side in the January transfer window, while Mancini would not last much longer as he was sacked towards the end of the season.

Mario Balotelli and Fanny Neguesha pose with Arsenal badges (GETTY IMAGES)

Talk on social media was rife that Balotelli was about to sign for the Gunners when his girlfriend Fanny Neguesha posted a picture of the pair standing in front of Arsenal badges. However, he was only doing a spot of shopping in a Puma store in New York as he enjoys a holiday with his girlfriend, rather than in London to complete a move to the FA Cup champions.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies