AC Milan have reportedly given Arsenal the chance to sign controversial striker Mario Balotelli for a cut-price £14million.
Quotidiano Sportivo claims the San Siro giants are ready to cut their losses on the 23-year-old, who cost around £10m more than his latest valuation when he arrived from Manchester City 18 months ago.
According to the report, the Serie A outfit will not drop the asking price any lower and are awaiting a response from two suitors – the Gunners and cash-rich French side Monaco.
Flashes of brilliance have been tempered by a number of unsavoury incidents since the switch back to his homeland, in typically enigmatic fashion.
The latest flashpoint came last week when the forward took a picture of himself brandishing a gun and made it his homepage image on Instagram.
He hastily deleted the photograph – which was accompanied by the chilling message “a kiss to those who hate me” – but not before it had gone viral online.
It sparked outrage in Italy and embarrassment to one of the most iconic clubs in European football.
Milan now face an anxious wait to see if they can offload him in order to fund a handful of incoming transfers.
Arsenal have already splashed out in excess of £30m on attacker Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona, although it is unclear in which position boss Arsene Wenger intends to deploy the Chile international, who is capable of playing out wide or through the centre.