Newcastle United target Marlon has revealed that Mario Balotelli advised him to move to Italian side Sassuolo, as he closes in on completing the switch.
The Barcelona defender was set to switch to Newcastle before the Premier League transfer window closed, but the deal collapsed and the Magpies missed out on securing his services.
And the Magpies will not be able to resurrect the deal in January as Marlon has now landed in Italy to complete a move to Sassuolo.
Marlon, who spent last season in France on loan at Nice, has revealed that former Manchester City and Liverpool hitman Balotelli, with whom he played at Nice, recommended a switch to Sassuolo.
He also admitted Sassuolo wanted him the most and told Sky Italia: "I'm very happy.
“I spoke with Balotelli. He told me great things about Sassuolo.
"He advised me."
And Marlon has set high targets for himself, adding: "I hope to become the new Thiago Silva, as they say.
"Maybe I had many offers, but Sassuolo wanted me more than anyone."
Barcelona signed Marlon from Brazilian side Fluminense in 2016, initially on a loan agreement, before later making the move permanently for a fee of €5m.
