Liverpool’s wait for a striker is finally set to be over. Hold on your breath Anfield faithful. After Suarez departed the red half of Merseyside to join Spanish giants Barcelona, the Reds are now closing in on a €20m deal for AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli as reported by the trusted and reliable Gianluca Di Marzio website.
The Rossoneri have confirmed in their official site that talks are underway between the two clubs. It is believed that Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola will be at Liverpool for dealing with his client’s next destination, which now looks very prominent to be at Anfield.
The recent developments come as a major surprise as Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani had earlier completely refuted claims that Liverpool had already made an offer to land the former Manchester City striker. The report claims that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants Balotelli on a season long deal but is desperate to sign a striker well before the transfer window slams shut to avoid any last minute panic deals. Rodgers had also pledged earlier that he will do all he can to boost the club’s attacking options up front to fill Suarez’s void.
Milan had earlier bought Balotelli in January 2013 by splashing out €20m and now set to part ways with the player at the right price. Balotelli’s impressive returns in front of goal has seen him hit the back of the net 26 times in 43 Serie A appearances for the Rossoneri. Should his deal to Liverpool be confirmed in the coming hours, the Reds would then have a player with significant Premier League experience but with whom temperament will be the key.
Balotelli is no doubt a fantastic out and out striker and will aid Daniel Sturridge up front leading the attack but he must make sure that his hot headed aggression doesn’t get the best out of him in his return to England. Balotelli thus is in line to become Liverpool’s ninth acquisition in the summer transfer window.