New Sampdoria boss Walter Zenga insists he doesn’t want Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli, or Antonio Cassano at the club.
The Blucerchiati are on the lookout for a new frontman given Samuel Eto’o is set to complete a move to Turkish side Antalyaspor, while there is also question marks over Stefano Okaka and Eder’s future in Genoa.
“No, I don’t want them [Balotelli and Cassano],” Zenga told Radio Due. “Even though we are talking about players of extraordinary talent.”
The 55-year-old tactician also distanced himself from the possibility of Giampaolo Pazzini making a return to Sampdoria.
“Every coach would like to have a player like that,” Zenga went on, “but between what is said and what is done there are about half a dozen things the fans don’t see.
“We have already made three or four buys. There’s [Edgar] Barreto, [Niklas] Moisander, [Federico] Bonazzoli and [Mattia] Cassani. We got Cassani to plug the gap after Lorenzo De Silvestri’s injury.
“The club acted quickly in the transfer market and we are building a good squad. We’ll see what else happens as the market is open until September.”
Cassano is currently without a club after rescinding his contract with Parma during last season, while Pazzini is available on a free transfer as his deal with AC Milan expires at the end of June.
Meanwhile, Balotelli’s future at Liverpool is in doubt after they signed Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino, and it is reported Trabzonspor are interested in signing the player.
