Madcap footballer Mario Balotelli has been linked with the purchase of an extravagant £4.75m ‘Teletubbies’ mansion after he moved back to the Premier League.

The £16m striker, who signed for Liverpool last month, is rumoured to be interested in the Cheshire property, complete with its own swimming pool, football pitch and helipad.

Current owner, the entrepreneur Steve O’Connor and his wife Clare have insisted that the property remains on the market with Chester estate agents Savills.

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Fit for a footballer? Mario Balotelli, 24, is believed to be considering this Cheshire home, complete with football pitch, as he prepares to move from Milan to the north west

Helipad: The helipad, overlooking 10 miles of countryside, allows the owner get to London in an hour, which will be welcome news to notorious party-goer Balotelli

Retreat: The mansion is a long drive from Anfield Stadium but it could act as a haven for the Premier League star who attracts plenty of attention in the UK

Balotelli, 24, is known to be house hunting in the area after returning to the country from AC Milan in Italy. He played for Manchester City between 2010 and 2013

The home, in Frodsham, includes five bedrooms, four of which are described as suites, as well as an indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym sports hall, sports bar, offices, a helipad and large gardens.

Much of the property is built below ground, with grassed roofs covering the property, with windows reminiscent of the Teletubbies home in the children’s TV show.

Balotelli, 24, is known to be house hunting in the area after returning to the country after starring for Inter and AC Milan in Italy. He played for Manchester City between 2010 and 2013 earning as much interest in his off-the field antics and his exploits on the pitch.

Green: No doubt the Italian striker will enjoy the luscious grass surrounding the property as he jets back from a stint at the sunnier club AC Milan

Light: The previous owners made sure to put windows wherever possible so that the underground property is filled with light and does not have damp

Property developer turns tiny Cheshire cottage into £4.75m homeLoaded: 0%Progress: 0%0:00PreviousPlaySkipMuteCurrent Time0:00/Duration Time2:06Full SizeNeed Text

Before: This is the two-storey cottage perched on a sloping hill that current owner Steve O’Connor transformed into a modern estate that delves underground

The property is described on the estate agent’s website as ‘a discreet and private house, perfectly aligned to contemporary living, in a stunning position’.

It reads: ‘It embraces the functional aspects of neo modern architecture and key attributes of modern technology to provide a versatile and comfortable living environment.

‘The relaxed, free-flowing nature of the property belies the sophistication of the design. A substantial section of the property lies beneath the original ground level and yet the light, air quality and views are exceptional.

‘The fully integrated technology includes keyless doors, some with fingerprint recognition, an audio/visual system supporting various satellite feeds, lutron lighting both mechanical and natural climate control.

Work site: The couple spent years working on the land to create a home that fits their exact interests and activities

Modern: Liverpool’s new signing will no doubt be enticed by this unusual, long swimming pool and adjacent sauna with French windows that open onto grass

Living space: Underneath the sprawling garden there is a 100ft hallway that leads onto a kitchen, dining area, and access to five bedrooms

‘There are both large and small spaces within the structure, with the main living area being largely open plan. The leisure facilities are exceptional and range from an indoor sports hall to a gym, indoor pool with a sauna and jacuzzi, to an outdoor 3G surfaced 5-aside football pitch.’

The enormous estate, carved into a cliffside, started life as a two-storey cottage.

Despite heavy planning restrictions, the couple worked closely with an architect to transform their home into something 10 times the size. The house is surrounded by a network of caves which help control the temperature.

And thanks to the addition of a helipad, the couple and their two sons Stevie, nine, and Ryan, four, can get to London in an hour.

Mr O’Connor, who owns Widnes Viking Rugby League team, said: ‘It is essentially a modern day country house in size, but if you took out our indulgence, the swimming pool, it would have the same energy costs as a three bed semi.’

Temperature in the home is controlled using a unique air tower which releases hot air in the top and lets in cold air at the bottom.

Dining room: The £16 million striker could soon be dining in this minimal, purple-and-white-themed room which is separated from the living room with a free-standing wall

Activity: The property will suit buyers with many interests as there is space for a grand piano alongside the football pitch and swimming pool

Innovative: The underground home is heated by a network of caves, which helped the previous owners get around planning restrictions

Open space: This living space and kitchen area, complete with a breakfast bar, is set in the space above the 100ft hall way

Cutting edge: Property developer Mr O’Connor said he has worked for years with an architect to develop the home from a shabby cottage into a modern complex

Despite the vast amount of open space, the home has the same energy costs as a three-bedroom semi-detached cottage