Report: Liverpool agree £16m deal with AC Milan for Mario Balotelli

Liverpool have reached an agreement “in principle” with AC Milan to sign striker Mario Balotelli, it is being reported in Italy on Thursday.

CHARLOTTE, USA - Saturday, August 2, 2014: AC Milan's Mario Balotelli and Liverpool's Martin Skrtel during the International Champions Cup Group B match at the Bank of America Stadium on day thirteen of the club's USA Tour. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The 24-year-old has been the focus of intense speculation over the last 24 hours since Italian media reported Liverpool’s interest on Wednesday morning.

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/502388297550028800

The negotiations between the Liverpool and Milan were later confirmed by English reporters.

Now esteemed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio says a deal has been agreed for the sale of Balotelli:

“From Rossoneri to the Reds, Balotelli is close to Anfield.

“An agreement has been reached in principle between the two clubs after talks gathered pace overnight.

“The deal should be an outright transfer, assumed to be around €20 million (£16 million) with no bonus.

“Balotelli start packing, Liverpool awaits!”

17.11.2010, Worthersee-Arena, Klagenfurt, AUT, Freundschaftliches Landerspiel, Italien vs Rumanien, im Bild Barwuah Mario Balotelli, ITA, #10 // during international frindly footballmatch, Italy vs Romania at Worthersee-Arena Klagenfurt on 17/11/2010. EXPA Pictures (C) 2010, PhotoCredit: EXPA/ E. Scheriau


The Italian international striker has scored 30 goals in 54 games for Milan after switching from Manchester City last year for £19 million.

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Liverpool have been on the look out for a new striker this summer following Luis Suarez’s departure to Barcelona.

Following the Reds’ 2-1 victory over Southampton on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers confirmed the club were still in the market for a striker.

“I do still think we need another striker,” he said.

“It is something that we will look at, but it will depend on the availability of one.

“We will search through to the end of the transfer window.”

The collapse of a move for Queen’s Park Rangers forward Loic Remy forced Rodgers to look elsewhere and if these reports are to be believed, Liverpool look to have found their man in Balotelli.

What will Balotelli bring to Liverpool if he signs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, or on our Liverpool FC Forums.