MX23RW : Tuesday, January 7 13:58:11| >> :60:1597:1597:

Arsenal 'turned down Mario Balotelli twice'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reportedly turned down the chance to sign Liverpool-bound striker Mario Balotelli twice over the course of the summer.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger turned down the chance to sign Mario Balotelli twice, according to a report.

The 24-year-old is thought to be on the verge of joining Liverpool from AC Milan for a fee in the region of £16m.

He had previously been linked with a move to the Gunners all summer, but they were never interested in bringing him to the Emirates Stadium, according to the Daily Star.

The first instance was during the World Cup, when the Italian international's wage demands of £160,000 a week put the London club off.

Balotelli then lowered his demands to £90,000 a week, with Puma agreeing to a pay part of his wages, but again Wenger apparently rejected the chance to sign him.

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Mario Balotelli of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma FC at San Siro Stadium on March 16, 2014
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