I am Going to Liverpool – Balotelli

The Italian soccer celebrity, Mario Balotelli has told Sky Italia of his moving from Milan to Liverpool.

Sky sources learned on Thursday that Liverpool had approached Milan about the former Manchester City striker just weeks after Brendan Rodgers denied making a move.

And Balotelli later said, “Today is my last day (at Milan). I am going to Liverpool.”

Rodgers has made no secret of his wish to bring in a new forward following Luis Suarez’s summer departure, but any chance of Balotelli coming appeared dead in the water earlier this summer.

Speaking on Liverpool’s tour of the United States, the Reds Boss said, “I was asked the question about Balotelli and spoke about what a talent he is and excellent player he is.”

“I can categorically tell you that Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool.

“He is a wonderful player, but an AC Milan player. I just gave my opinion of him, but that doesn’t mean I will be signing him.”

Three weeks later and things have changed with a fee agreed and Rodgers on the verge of bringing the former Manchester City striker back to England and the Barclays Premier League in a deal set to cost Liverpool £16m.

The rumours about Liverpool’s interest have been bubbling away quietly all summer but in amongst all the other transfer window noise it almost went unheard. The denial from Rodgers put everyone off the scent and meant the debate – about whether he is a good fit for the Reds or not – has only started in earnest now, at the last possible moment.

Having just sold Luis Suarez, last season’s top scorer with 31 goals, the Anfield side clearly needs to bring another striker in but whatever Balotelli’s attributes are in front of goal they aren’t really the ones up for discussion or comparison.

Paul Merson thinks Mario Balotelli would be a good buy for Liverpool after the striker told AC Milan it would be his last day at the club.

Rodgers was instead targeting Monaco’s Radamel Falcao, but the Colombia striker’s preference is a move to Real Madrid.

Balotelli’s three seasons at City were blighted by trouble, on and off the field, although he did manage 30 goals for the club in all competitions.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has questioned whether Balotelli would be an automatic starter at Anfiel. The move still awaits to be confirmed finally.