Steven Gerrard’s ‘unmanageable’ former team-mate Mario Balotelli could cost him Alfredo Morelos

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Rangers are set to face a battle to keep hold of their prize asset Alfredo Morelos. As reported by the Daily Record, French side Nice have identified the Colombian as a transfer target.

Patrick Vieira is a fan of the striker and an £8 million bid is reportedly being readied. He is said to be valued at £10 million but Rangers have no intention of selling this month.

The reason behind Nice’s sudden interest is the future of a former team-mate of Steven Gerrard.

Mario Balotelli has turned his career around at the Allianz Riviera. He has proven that, unlike what Gerrard once said about him, he is not unmanageable, with his form in the south of France.

He is now expected to switch Nice for Marseille and the Colombian is the target to take his place.

Gerrard was at the start of his final season at Anfield when now Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers told him he was going for Balotelli. Recalling the incident in his autobiography, the Rangers boss claimed Balotelli was standing in his own way and ‘doesn’t work hard enough.’

“There was no friction between us. We got on fine. I still tried to help him and I kept looking for chances to praise him. But I could see (Jose) Mourinho had been right when he said Balotelli is unmanageable.

“He is very talented with the potential to be world class, but he’ll never get there because of his mentality and the people around him.

“Balotelli’s always late, he always wants attention, he says the wrong things on social media.

“For me, he doesn’t work hard enough on a daily basis. You’re always fighting a losing battle with Balotelli. He does too many things wrong.”

– Steven Gerrard comments on Mario Balotelli

Whilst there was no genuine friction between the pair Gerrard obviously felt the Italian was wasting his talent.

Now he has harnessed it and Marseille wants to use it. The irony is that might now be to the detriment of Gerrard and Rangers.