Liverpool could sell Mario Balotelli to raise funds for a fresh striker bid this month…
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has admitted that he would be interested in signing Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli in the January transfer window, despite his indifferent Premier League form.
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Balotelli has scored just two goals so far this season, neither of which came in the Premier League. He has also been involved in several off the field incidents that have thrown his Anfield future into doubt.
Allegri said: “We would like to recruit him, but we do not know if it is possible. Mario had a good season with me (at AC Milan).
“Unfortunately he’s built up a character outside of the world of football and everyone talks about what he does off the pitch. But all coaches love to lead the best players.”
Here are five possible new arrival Anfield, should they let the controversial Italian leave this months:
5) Divock Origi (Lille, £3m)
Liverpool have been strongly linked with recalling Divock Origi from his loan deal with Lille. According to the Daily Mirror, the Reds have agreed to pay the French Ligue 1 side a £3m fee to ensure that the teenage Belgium international rejoins them in the winter window. This would be a relatively cheap solution to their striker shortage, although manager Brendan Rodgers would no doubt prefer the youngster to continue his development in a place where he’s guaranteed first-team football.
4) Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow, £15m)
Liverpool were linked with Ivorian late last year, with the Daily Mirror claiming that a £15m deal was possible. Doumbia struck twice as CSKA Moscow won 2-1 at the Etihad against Manchester City earlier this season, winning him yet more attention from a host of top European sides. The 27-year-old has scored a total of 84 goals in 128 games for the Russia club, who he joined in 2010, and it will be interesting to see whether the Reds apparent interest reappears, either this month or in the summer.
3) Kevin Volland (1899 Hoffenheim, £17.5m)
The Daily Star claimed Liverpool were watching Volland, along with his Hoffenheim teammate Roberto Firmino, back in October. Volland and Firmino were linked with the club during the summer and remain on Brendan Rodgers’ transfer shortlist, but the report carries quotes from Hoffenheim sporting director Alexander Rose, who claimed he was confident the club will not be forced to sell either player in January. He said: “I’m relatively confident of their stay here. The possibility of a farewell is not something that concerns us in the short term.”
2) Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli, £30m)
Liverpool would need to sell more than Mario Balotelli to fund a move for the Argentinian hit-man. This move looked incredibly unlikely until this month, when Napoli seemingly signed replacement in the shape of Sampdoria’s Manolo Gabbiadini. Now, a £30m transfer really could happen, but the Reds will have to give up Fabio Borini, as well as Balotelli. According to the Independent, Higuain, who joined Napoli from Real Madrid 18 months ago, has scored 26 goals in 49 games for the Italian side, but despite his impressive record doubts remain in Italy about his prowess as the leader of an attack.
1) Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion, £15m)
There has been plenty of speculation regarding Berahino’s future, with a transfer fee ranging from a little over £10m, to well in excess of £20m. According to reports in the Liverpool Echo, Berahino is stalling on a new contract at the Hawthorns in order to force through a move to Anfield this winter. It is reported that the England Under 21 international has been offered wages of around £65,000 a week at Albion, a deal which would make him the highest paid player in their history, but he remains undecided.
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