Liverpool have agreed a £16M fee for AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli according to the BBC.
After the incident filled years of Luis Suarez, it appears that Brendan Rodgers is banking on Balotelli to ensure the reds continue their upward progression.
Two weeks ago Brendan Rodgers himself scotched any suggestions of a deal during LFC's pre-season tour of America, saying:
“I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool.
“In my last press conference I was asked a question about Mario Balotelli and I talked about what a talent he was and what an excellent player he was. And the next day it was wrote as if we were signing him. I just gave my perception of him as a player. It shouldn’t be transmitted into us signing the player.”
Only this morning respected journalist Gabrielle Marcotti also poured scorn on the deal:
I don’t think this is what Brendan Rodgers needs or wants, to spend the kind of resources and make the kind of commitment on a guy of Balotelli’s standing. If he signs another striker, it is going to be, I think, somebody in a different salary bracket.
24 year old Mario moved to Milan from Man City in a £19M deal last year and scored 30 goals in his 54 appearances with the Italian side.
Negotiations with the player are continuing - Mario is one of the highest paid players in Italy - the reds next game is Monday night against Man City at the Etihad.
Let’s face it 16 mill is good value for a Balotelli who causes trouble compared to some of the rubbish Liverpool spent big money on this summer.
As a man city fan I hope you sign him….. He’s a liability and a ticking time bomb, his cons out weigh his pros ten fold!
oh god i hope so..
There’s always a risk involved with this type of player but then these types of players win matches and that is what the game is all about. He’s a character and the media love him for it but I hope some of eccentricities are reigned in (a lot of which is just attention seeking and immaturity anyway). Costa will provide some much needed competition in the media storm that will ensue.
This is a shrewd move by Liverpool and if anyone can get the best out of Balotelli it’s Rodgers. Rodgers will need to protect him as the media will be on his case.
Our chances of getting top four and trophies this season has just increased dramatically.
Oh god I hope not, out of the frying pan and into the fire.