The Serie A club have announced that the Reds have made an approach.
Liverpool have moved a step closer to signing striker Mario Balotelli as AC Milan announce on their official TV channel that talks have begun over the transfer, reports Eurosport.
Talks between Liverpool and AC Milan over Balotelli are progressing well and are set to resume today.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarretTimes) August 21, 2014
It’s understood that manager Brendan Rodgers made an initial £17.5m bid for the 24-year-old on Wednesday and has made the forward his current No.1 target in what has been a busy summer of business for the club.
Milan chief Adriano Galliani had said that no approach had been made by the Reds for Balotelli, but the Serie A club’s official channel has now announced that talks have begun over the Italian’s permanent transfer.
Originally the Merseysiders wanted a loan deal for the former Manchester City star, but La Rossoneri have rejected that proposal and now only a permanent deal will suffice.
Balotelli returned to the San Siro on January 2013 having spent two-and-a-half years with the Citizens and has since scored 30 goals in 54 appearances for the side.
In fact no player has scored more goals in the Italian top tier over the past 18 months than the Italy international.
If the deal is completed Balotelli would become Rodgers’ ninth new signing of the summer and take the club’s spending to almost £120m.
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