Chelsea join hunt for Balotelli, Inter make offer for Arsenal pair

Mario's former boss, Jose Mourinho, says he would like to work with him again

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(Image credit: Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

IS BONKERS bound for the Bridge? Yes, says the Daily Star, which claims Mario Balotelli could be on his way to Chelsea in the summer if Jose Mourinho has his way. The Special One had a troubled relationship with the Madcap One when he was in charge of Inter Milan between 2008 and 2010, but the Star says Mourinho wants to work with the 23-year-old Balotelli again.As we reported last month Arsenal and Spurs have both been mooted as potential destinations for Balotelli who,says the Star, is "unsettled in his native Italy and keen on a return to the Premier League". But now it seems Chelsea have picked up the scent and Mourinho is closing in on the prey. Asked if he could make a move for Bonkers in the summer, he replied: "Balotelli is with a big club at the moment but you never know the future... he's a good kid and somebody I'd like to work with again."A return to England would certainly liven up the Premier League. The Italian frontman spent more than two fun-filled years with Manchester City, helping the Sky Blues win the league title in 2012 and helping lift the spirits of the nation with antics that included throwing a firework party in his bathroom.

Meanwhile there are rumours that Inter Milan, having secured the services of Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, have designs on two Arsenal stars. The Daily Star reports that the Italians are after Lukas Podolski whose move to the Emirates has so far not worked out for him. The German international arrived in 2012 and performed admirably in his first season, scoring 16 goals in 42 appearances. However, injuries have hampered his progress and he appears to have fallen out of favour with Arsene Wenger.

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Bill Mann is a football correspondent for The Week.co.uk, scouring the world's football press daily for the popular Transfer Talk column.