Thursday, 21 August 2014

Liverpool have £16m fee for Mario Balotelli accepted by AC Milan as striker prepares for Premier League return


How it's going to be: Mario Balotelli mocked up in a Liverpool shirt in anticipation of his £16m move to Anfield

Liverpool have have had a £16million bid accepted by AC Milan for Italy striker Mario Balotelli.
 
Balotelli is thought to want £125,000 a week to move to Anfield and the transfer is nearly complete, subject to personal terms. Brendan Rodgers had said Liverpool would categorically not be signing the errant Italy striker last month, but has had a change of heart. 
 
Balotelli earlier told Sky Italia: 'This will be my last day at Milanello.' 
 
Later, he left Milanello training complex in a red Ferrari. He had lunch after training and stopped to tell reporters: 'Nothing is decided yet nothing is black and white.'
 
Drive to succeed: Balotelli leaves Milan's training ground in his red Ferrari
 
Samuel Eto'o is still an option for Liverpool should the Balotelli deal fall through, for any reason.
Balotelli has to be registered by noon on Friday if he is to figure for Liverpool against former club Manchester City on Monday.
 
It would be a sensational return to the Premier League for the 24-year-old, who left City in 2013.
Balotelli has been involved in a series of scrapes during his career to date, especially during his time in the Premier League.

Super Mario: Balotelli left the Premier League in 2013, but now seems to be on his way back with Liverpool

Change of heart: Rodgers had previously said he would not be signing the Italian striker

On the field, he was sent off for Manchester City against Arsenal in 2012 in a defeat that almost derailed their title charge. And off the pitch, there was the notorious incident when Balotelli set off fireworks in his house, leading to him revealing the famous 'Why Always Me?' T-shirt when he scored in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford in 2011.
 
He also had a set-to with City manager Roberto Mancini on the training ground, and a scrap with Jerome Boateng.
 
The striker's agent Mino Raiola flew to England on Wednesday to try to thrash out a deal.
 
Since returning to Italy, he has scored 30 goals in 54 games, the same amount he scored for City in 80 games. 
 
And it is easy to forget that he has already won four titles in two countries, a Champions League and the FA Cup and Coppa Italia by the age of 24. 

Striker: Balotelli scored 30 goals in 80 games for City before moving back to Italy

Flashpoint: Balotelli had a number of run-ins during his explosive relationship with Roberto Mancini



Sending a message: Balotelli with his famous 'Why Always Me?' T-shirt at Old Trafford in 2011



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