Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that he attempted to sign Mario Balotelli prior to the Italy forward's move to Manchester City.
The 21-year-old, who scored twice as his country reached the final of Euro 2012 with a 2-1 win over Germany last night, moved to the Etihad Stadium from Inter Milan for a transfer fee of £24m in August 2010.
Redknapp, who was sacked by Spurs last month, thinks that Balotelli is exceptionally talented and he admits that he tried to bring the player to White Hart Lane on loan.
"You never know what you're going to get with Mario Balotelli but one thing is certain - he is a major talent," Redknapp told Sky Sports News. "He stunned Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final and his second goal was fantastic.
"I actually tried to sign him for Tottenham before he went to Manchester City. I'd admired him for a while and I went over to Italy to watch him play. I was impressed and I met up with him, too.
"We wanted him on a loan deal but his club weren't keen and it never happened. Shame, because he's definitely got it and, at only 21 years old, he'll be terrorising defenders for many seasons to come."
Balotelli scored an injury-time penalty kick to secure a 3-2 win over Spurs in January and effectively end the title challenge of Redknapp's team.
