Mario Balotelli is on the market once again.

The Italian was released by Marseille in May despite making a significant contribution during his five months at the club.

Balotelli scored eight goals in 12 Ligue 1 starts under Rudi Garcia, who made way for Andre Villas-Boas after finishing in fifth place last season.

Unlike his predecessor, the new boss doesn’t appear tempted to take a chance on re-signing the mercurial striker.

But Balotelli hasn’t taken long to attract interest from other potential employers.

Rather than remaining in a top European league, his football career could be set to take a significant turn.

Flamengo and Balotelli were thought to be close to agreeing a two-year contract worth $5 million (£1 million), per Marca.

However, the 29-year-old insisted on adding some unorthodox terms. 

The report claims Balotelli asked Flamengo to sign his brother - Enock - and play him for one of their affiliate clubs - Boavista - in Serie D.

Furthermore, he wanted his younger sibling to be guaranteed at least ten appearances to boot.

While Mario was part of the first team at Manchester City, Enock was cutting his teeth in the youth academy.

He struggled to establish himself and eventually moved on to jump between a handful of small clubs in Italy and Malta.

Well, Flamengo must’ve been exceptionally keen to snap up the older Balotelli because, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, via Marca, they were prepared to meet his demands.

However, Balotelli appears to have had his head turned by the emergence of Brescia as another option.

He would earn learn less money at the newly-promoted Serie A side, but the opportunity to represent his hometown club might be too good to pass up.

That said, it’s also understood that Flamengo are refusing to lie down and they remain in contact with Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola.