Serie A side Lazio are ready to make an offer for Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Italian international has proven to be a massive disappointment since his move from AC Milan to Liverpool last August, but could soon be able to end his unhappy spell in the north west.
The Daily Mirror claim that Lazio will only make a move for Balotelli if they safely negotiate a path through the Champions League qualifying rounds and into the group stage, with the Stadio Olimpico side ready to offer an initial £1.5 million fee for a season-long loan deal to be followed by a further £12.5 million to make the move permanent, representing a total package of £14 million.
This would represent a potentially palatable loss for Liverpool, who parted with £16 million to sign the forward last summer [BBC Sport].
Brendan Rodgers was always taking something of a risk by signing Balotelli, the 24-year-old having a reputation for being a ‘troubled’ individual [Telegraph], but even the Northern Irish boss would have been shocked at just how little the former Manchester City man offered in the final third since moving to Anfield.
Balotelli bagged just one goal in 16 Premier League appearances last term, and the arrivals of Danny Ings, Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke will see the forward fall further down the Liverpool pecking order.
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Having made a number of attacking signings, Brendan Rodgers has already moved to trim his squad by selling Rickie Lambert to West Bromwich Albion, whilst also banking £49m from the sale of want-away youngster Raheem Sterling (via BBC Sport).
Balotelli is a proven goal-scorer, whose off-field antics could be one reason why the Merseyside giants have failed to shift the Sicilian-born striker. Once again, the marksman will surely be looking to re-ignite his career if he does indeed bid farewell to Liverpool this summer.