Balotelli to undergo surgery

This means that Liverpool, unless they take a surprising decision to keep the striker, will look to offload him to other clubs, with a cheaper fee than the one they paid likely.

Balotelli left the Reds for a season-long loan to Milan back in August, but has managed just three competitive appearances since due to a persistent groin problem.

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli will undergo surgery in Munich on Wednesday on his troublesome groin injury, the Serie A club said in a statement.

A consultation with Professor Per Holmich in Copenhagen has revealed a more serious inguinal hernia, meaning surgery is the only option.

The 25-year-old failed to impress last season after arriving at Anfield from the San Siro as a £16 million replacement for Luis Suarez, scoring just once in 16 Premier League appearances. Italy have already qualified for next summer’s European Championships in France, but may have to head to the tournament without the forward, who shone at the last continental competition three and a half years ago.

From a Liverpool perspective, the injury will jeopardise their hopes of offloading Balotelli on a permanent basis.