Although there appears to be a slight hiccup in Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke’s protracted move to Liverpool, it still looks like only a matter of time before the big Belgian moves to Merseyside — and pushes a number of players out the door.
Fabio Borini, who was left off the Reds pre-season tour, should be the first one gone with his agent Marco de Marchi confirming that the Italian is considering his options. “I’ve had many offers from all the major Leagues: Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A,” he told Calciomercato. “Out of respect for Liverpool and the interested teams, I’d prefer not to mention names. All I can say is that we’re reflecting on the best solution for Fabio and for the Reds. We have to make the right choice.”
The right choice, it appears, would have been to join either Sunderland or Queens Park Rangers last summer when he had the chance, but that’s neither here nor there. Speaking of making prudent decisions, Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has re-ignited rumours that the Serie A side will be making a move for Anfield outcast Mario Balotelli despite no one actually believing he’ll be able to afford the 24-year old or his huge wages. “Balotelli is an excellent player,” said the enigmatic owner, stiring the pot yet again. “At Sampdoria he would have a great opportunity to relaunch his career in a club where he’d have less pressure.”
Finally, former Liverpool trainee Rickie Lambert, who only just returned to the club last summer after being cut adrift from the youth program, has been attracting the interest of Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion with boss Tony Pulis hoping to fend off interest from the soon to be Benteke-less Aston Villa and snatch up the Reds hit-man. The 33-year old is looking like more than surplus to requirements around Melwood these days and despite turning down a move to the Midlands in January in an attempt to snag a first team spot, the writing is on the wall for ol’ Rick.
