Chelsea fans are looking up with interest at the latest news from the Football Transfer Tavern.

Metro claim that Mario Balotelli has been told he is no longer needed at AC Milan.

The Italian international forward has been placed on the transfer list at the club according to reports in Italy and despite his ill-fated spell in the Premier League last term, there have been links with a reunion with former manager Jose Mourinho.

Despite some tension when the two worked together at Inter Milan, Mourinho claims that he has no bad feeling towards Balotelli and working with the forward was one of the most interesting experiences of his career.

As our landlord pauses from pouring a pint, he notes that Chelsea are most certainly in need of a forward and the main problem for the player last time around in England was the constant media circus that followed him around Manchester.

Mario has certainly matured since his spell in Italy and has been one of the better AC Milan players since his move to the club.

We turn to our Serie A expert and ask if Balotelli is deserving of a move and he notes that both Milan clubs are on the decline, with monetary issues and the likelihood of missing out on the Champions League next term mean that cashing in on the forward and rebuilding the side could be the way forward.