Reports on Friday suggest Mario Balotelli will receive a hefty loyalty bonus from Liverpool, should he stay at the club beyond the end of the transfer window.
Numerous reporters, such as Andy Hunter of the Guardian claims the 25-year-old will earn a six-figure sum if he remains on Merseyside after the transfer windows closes, despite clearly being no part of Brendan Rodgers’ future plans.
Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola, who also represents Zlatan Ibrahimovic, managed to negotiate a number of loyalty bonuses into his client’s three-year contract at Liverpool, with the first one set to be paid on 1st September.
The controversial Italian was not selected for the pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia, and has been training separately from the squad along with fellow unwanted duo Fabio Borini and Jose Enrique.
It’s clear that the Reds are doing their utmost to sell the former Manchester City man in the next few weeks, with several Italian clubs rumoured to be interested, however, the Mirror report that Balotelli does not wish to return to Italy and is happy in the north-west of England.
They claim also that due to Balotelli’s huge loyalty bonus, Liverpool are prepared to contribute 60% of Balotelli’s wages if Lazio or Sampdoria take him back to Serie A on loan.
The former Man City player endured a dreadful first year at Anfield in 2014/15, scoring just four times in 28 appearances.
Reports last month suggested Brendan Rodgers had told Balotelli that he was the club’s sixth-choice centre-forward, following the arrivals of Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and Divock Origi.
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