Sampdoria chief Carlo Osti insists they could tempt Nice striker Mario Balotelli to Italy this summer.

Osti insists Samp fans can dream about Balotelli pulling on their jersey next season.

The sports director said: "We need to think about reality as well as being dreamers.

"The president is living in reality, but we cannot take a step longer than our leg allows. But in football everything can happen..."

Balotelli is expected to leave Nice this summer, with Marseille favourites to secure his signature.