SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 10, 2015: Liverpool's Fabio Borini and Sunderland's Patrick van Aanholt during the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Reports: Fabio Borini to return to Sunderland on loan

Unwanted Liverpool forward Fabio Borini is to return to Sunderland on loan, according to reports on Thursday.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 10, 2015: Liverpool's Fabio Borini and Sunderland's Patrick van Aanholt during the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The Italian forward spent the 2013/14 season with the Black Cats side, scoring 12 goals in 41 appearances, but turned down a permanent move to the North East last summer after Liverpool reportedly accepted a bid in the region of £14 million.

That did not go down well at Anfield and thus he was marginalised for much of the season, starting just five times – scoring once, at Aston Villa in January.

This summer, Borini has been cast aside along with Mario Balotelli and Jose Enrique; not included in the club’s pre-season tour or any friendly games, and forced to train separately from the first-team squad.

The 24-year-old, signed by Brendan Rodgers in his first summer at Anfield three years ago, has been linked with a return to Italy and also with West Ham United.

But reports on Thursday claim Sunderland want Borini and Man United winger Adnan Januzaj on season-long loan deals.

Interest was first reported in the Sunderland Echo and has later been claimed by the Guardian too.

Reports last week claimed Fiorentina had agreed a £7 million fee with Liverpool for Borini, but that personal terms were still to be agreed. It could be that the player is demanding too much and therefore Liverpool are unable to force a permanent move away.

Borini has two years left on his contract.