Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere happy to take Mario Balotelli "risk"

Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere has said that he was happy to take a "risk" on Mario Balotelli this summer.

The 26-year-old was looking for a new club for the majority of the transfer window having been told by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp that he was surplus to requirements at Anfield.

Balotelli finally sealed a move away on deadline day, joining Nice on a free transfer, but Rivere insisted that the striker will fit in with manager Lucien Favre's philosophy.

"I never take a player if he does not fit with the coach or the squad," he told reporters.

"The press says we are taking a huge risk with Mari. We assume that risk."

Meanwhile Balotelli, who has scored just two league goals in the last two seasons, insists that Nice are not taking a risk in signing him.