As Liverpool continue to look for a top class striker to replace Luis Suarez, one name that they continue to be linked with is AC Milan headcase Mario Balotelli — even if everyone associated with everyone is denying that the two sides are interested in doing business.
In the days leading up to the Reds meeting with Italian side during their respective pre-season tours of North America, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on the 24-year old, leading to increased speculation that a bid was forthcoming. The Northern Irishman quickly poured cold water on that though. “I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool,” he explained with a smile. “I just gave my perception of him as a player. It shouldn’t be transmitted into us signing the player.”
The press, obviously, hasn’t taken that as canon with rumours renewing in the last few days of an impending bid in the region of £17.5mil from the Reds for his services. Either these stories are so convincing that the AC Milan hierarchy felt compelled to comment on them, or there’s something fishy going down behind the scenes.
How’s this for a cryptic statement? “At this time we have not received any offer from Liverpool for Balotelli. Therefore, there is no negotiation” said vice-president Adriano Galliani who then, in typical football fashion, refused to rule out a move being completed with no club in particular before the transfer window closes. “We will see as the transfer market ends on 1 September.”
More on this as it unfolds…
