HARRISON, N.J. — In the last few days, reports surfaced in a few corners of the internet claiming that the Union have been talking with famous — indeed, notorious — striker Mario Balotelli.
"There is not a piece of truth in that story," Tanner said by phone from Germany, where he's on a scouting trip. "I don't know why this is coming up. … I never was in touch with him."
Judging from social media, a number of Union fans would have liked Tanner to be in touch with Balotelli. It's easy to see why.
Born in Italy to immigrants from Ghana, the 28-year-old has 148 goals in 360 career club games across six clubs, plus 14 goals in 36 games for Italy's national team.