Liverpool close in on deal for £16m striker - report

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Published on:

23 Aug 2016, 12:29 pm

By Tom Blackburn

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli could be set to join Bologna on loan, according to a report.

Italian outlet Sport Mediaset claims Bologna are seeking an agreement with Liverpool after the 26-year-old Italian striker was sighted in a restaurant in the city on Monday.

It is said that the Serie A club are keen on finalising a loan move for Balotelli.

The striker is desperate to move away from Merseyside this summer, with manager Jurgen Klopp making it clear that there is no place for him in the first team set-up at Anfield.

Gazzetta Dello Sport and Tribal Football journalist Emanuele Giulianelli claimed on his personal Twitter account last week that Lazio were interested in the forward, but it appears that Bologna are now favourites to land his signature.

Lazio are seriously on Balotelli. Tare is reported in Liverpool to negotiate.
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) August 19, 2016

Recent reports had also suggested that the maverick attacker could be on his way to Wolves in the current transfer window.

The former AC Milan forward joined the Reds in a £16million deal in August 2014.

Since his arrival at the club the 25-year-old has failed to live up to expectations, scoring just four goals in 28 appearances at the Merseyside outfit after being brought in to replace the departing Luis Suarez.

The Italy international missed out on this summer’s European Championships after suffering another wayward season in front of goal, bagging just three goals and providing one assist in Serie A this season while on loan to AC Milan.

The former Inter Milan goal-scorer has returned to Melwood to train under Jugen Klopp ahead of the new Premier League season but is now behind Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi,Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings in the pecking order.

In other Liverpool transfer news, they are to offer their 26-year-old a chance to prove himself with a loan move.

Mario Balotelli

Liverpool FC