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.