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West Ham should make a move for the soon-to-be-out-of-contract Mario Balotelli, who is reportedly unhappy under Patrick Vieira at Nice, even more so after a summer transfer to Marseille fell through as per the Mirror.

What’s the word, then?

The Italian international is yet to find the back of the net this season and has been told that his contract will not be renewed at the end of the season, when he will become a free agent.

However, Balotelli did manage to score 18 goals in Ligue 1 last season, as well as six goals in the Europa League – it is apparent that he has the talent, but has simply downed tools at Nice due to his falling out with Vieira.

The season before that, he scored 15 Ligue 1 goals; I’m aware that this has been a theme throughout his career, but if someone can get his head in the right place, he could be a phenomenal signing on the cheap.

In West Ham’s case, they have just Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez as strikers that they can rely on, as the injury-stricken Andy Carroll has only managed to make just three substitute appearances in the league this season and Lucas Perez is yet to impress.

Why would West Ham want him?

Well, for all his shortcomings, the 28-year-old can be a brilliant striker if you can motivate him. Few clubs have managed to, but the London Stadium could be the ideal place for him as his former flat-mate at Inter in Arnautovic currently resides in east London – playing with a great friend in a country he is familiar with could be ideal for him.

The pair are known for causing mischief together, but the Austrian forward appears to have settled down somewhat and started to focus on his football and to great effect; if he can influence Balotelli positively, the Hammers could have the signing of the season on their hands, and one of the best strike partnerships in the league.