RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Italian striker Mario Balotelli has shown interest in joining Brazilian giants Flamengo, according to the club's president.
Balotelli has been out of contract since parting ways with Marseille in June and Flamengo have emerged as one of the frontrunners to sign the 28-year-old.
"We have made contact to know whether he'd be interested in playing with us," Flamengo president Rodolfo Landim told Globo Esporte.
"There have been positive signs. The only thing that we have done until now is see whether he would be interested in playing with Flamengo. There have been no negotiations about how much he would earn. He would only come if it was within the club's budget. We are not going to do anything crazy."
Flamengo have made a number of high profile signings in 2019, including former Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha and ex-Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis. The club also secured Inter Milan striker Gabriel Barbosa on loan in January.
The five-time Brazilian Serie A champions are currently third in Brazil's 20-team top-flight standings, eight points behind leaders Santos after 13 rounds.
