Liverpool ready to sell Balotelli

Mario Balotelli has been told he has no future with Liverpool and is one of three first team players to be omitted from the club’s final two pre-season games to take place over the weekend.

The Independent are reporting that the club, under Brendan Rodgers’ instruction, is actively trying to find a buyer for the 24-year-old Italian – who has been deemed completely surplus to requirements. The player has been linked with a possible exit to Sampdoria for sometime now.

The Italy international’s agent Mino Raiola also represents new Biancoceleste signing Ricardo Kishna, and La Repubblica believes Balotelli was also discussed during talks for the Dutchman.

Italy global Borini, 24, has failed to establish himself at Anfield, making just eight league starts since Rodgers bought him from Roma for £10.5m in 2012.

Pirlo told Shortlist: “He made mistakes when he was younger, he knows this, but I hope next season goes well for him, because I still believe he has all the attributes to be one of the top forwards in Europe”.

“Of course, financially, Bologna has certain parameters to be respected”.

A number of clubs have expressed an interest in offering the Italian a way out of Anfield this summer and reports now claim that Lazio have won the race. “You only have to look at how fleetingly he was used last season to see where he stands”.

Although the Metro suggest that the Merseyside outfit are looking for £7m, it seems unlikely, given the depth that Rodgers can now boast, that he will stand in Balotelli’s way even if Bologna’s offer falls slightly short of their asking price.