Arsene Wenger will meet with Mario Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola on Saturday as Arsenal close in on the €31 million signing of the Italy striker, Goal understands.
Wenger is currently in Brazil working as a pundit for French TV and will hold talks with Raiola in an attempt to broker the Gunnders' first major deal of the summer.
Having seen Bacary Sagna leave on a free transfer to Manchester City and resisted the temptation to activate the buyback clause in Cesc Fabregas' Barcelona contract, Wenger is now primed to make use of the €122 million warchest it was revealed he would have at his
disposal this summer.
Wenger is ready to spend up to €31m on the 25-year-old former Manchester City striker, who has scored 28 goals in 51 appearances for AC Milan since returning to Serie A in January 2013.
The Gunners boss is understood to be in the market for a marquee striker again this summer after missing out on the likes of Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain 12 months ago, leaving Olivier Giroud as the club’s only recognised senior centre-forward.
Raiola revealed earlier on Tuesday that "anything is possible" regarding the possibility of Balotelli signing for Arsenal during the close season.
"Arsenal are a fantastic club," he told Sky Sports when asked about the report.
"Only eight or 10 clubs in the world can afford Mario Balotelli - like all premium players, and he is one of the greatest.
"[Will the move happen?] Anything is possible."
Balotelli was on the scoresheet for his country against England in Manaus, netting the winner as the Azzurri got off to a strong start in Group D.
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