Bologna are not going to sign Mario Balotelli just to boost their image, according to chairman Joey Saputo amid reports the Serie A club are the latest to consider a move for the Liverpool striker.
Balotelli, 26, is surplus to requirements on Merseyside and he has been linked with a return to Italy, where he spent last season on loan at AC Milan.
Chievo, Sassuolo and now Bologna have been touted as possible destinations, but Saputo recognises the risks of signing a player who has lost his way since 2013 -- the year he was named by Time magazine among the 100 most influential men on the planet.
"You can't just go buying a player as a marketing exercise," Bologna's Canadian owner said in reaction to questions from reporters at the Stadio Dall'Ara, where Bologna got their Serie A season off to a winning start by beating Crotone 1-0 on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Saputo did not entirely rule out making a move for the former Italy international. If his club's management feel Balotelli could really lend Bologna a hand this season, then a deal could be considered.
"It's up to our sporting director and our coach," he said, reports ANSA. "I leave it up to them to decide. We're aiming to do a little bit better this season than we did last season and we need to work bit by bit, which is what we are doing."
Balotelli was also being linked with Lazio at the weekend, although the Biancocelesti appear to prefer Atletico Madrid's Alessio Cerci as their final transfer target this summer.