Brand new Arsenal kit-makers could partly fund a huge deal to bring former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli to the Emirates.

Balotelli has hit top form in Serie ‘A’ since his move away from City at the end of last season, scoring 25 goals in 38 matches as Milan climb the table.

Understandably, the Italian giants have slapped a hefty price tag on the Italian forward, and fees in the region of £40million have been suggested as interest in the renowned troublemaker continues.

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Last month, the Gunners announced a change of kit maker from current manufacturers Nike to Puma on a 5-year deal worth around £30million-per-year. Arsenal had been with Nike since 1994 however an accidental leak of the new home kit by legend Thierry Henry revealed the swap months in advance.

The deal is one of the largest of its kind and will boost Arsenal in the transfer market significantly, especially if reports that they could chip into the transfer kitty are true.

Balotelli, who scored 30 goals in 80 appearances for City between 2010 and 2013, is also personally sponsored by Puma who are said to be willing to shell out as much as £15million to bring one of their investments together with another.

Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky, Olivier Giroud and Bacary Sagna – as well as Thierry Henry – all wear Puma boots currently and the mega-rich manufacturers will do as much as possible to get their brand stamped on the club, especially if the current run of success continues.

In Need

Balotelli was a controversial figure in his time at the Etihad, and left on sour terms when he took the club to a Premiership tribunal over a disciplinary fine he faced at the end of a season where he missed ELEVEN League and European matches through suspension.

A striker is top of the Arsenal wishlist for summer as Olivier Giroud continues to lead the line on his own following Nicklas Bendtner’s injury and the failure to bring in either Alvaro Morata or Mirko Vucinic in January.

Balotelli’s personality may not sit well with Arsene Wenger however with Puma willing to fund almost half of the deal, the chance may be too good to refuse.

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