Milan deny Liverpool Mario Balotelli move — but “we will see”

AC Milan have denied reports in Italy suggesting Liverpool have made a £17.5 million bid for striker Mario Balotelli, but refused to rule out the move completely.

CHARLOTTE, USA - Saturday, August 2, 2014: AC Milan's Mario Balotelli and Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard 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)

Sportmediaset wrote on Wednesday that Liverpool were looking to resolve their search for a striker by taking Balotelli on-loan for the season with a view to a permanent transfer.

Milan have since denied that any talks have taken place with Liverpool over the 24-year-old.

“At this time we have not received any offer from Liverpool for Balotelli,” AC Milan club administrator Adriano Galliani said to Gazzetta dello Sport with quotes translated by the Independent.

“Hence, there is no negotiation.”

However, Galliani did mysteriously add, “We will see as the transfer market ends on September 1.”

Earlier this month Reds boss Brendan Rodgers had denied Liverpool were making an approach for the former Manchester City striker, telling press, “I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool.

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

With 14 goals in 30 Serie A appearances last season, and 12 in 13 games the season before, Balotelli would certainly bring goals to Liverpool.

Some may feel the baggage and his difficult reputation for being managed may outweigh his footballing talents, however.

https://twitter.com/Milanello/statuses/501977609182642176

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