Liverpool transfer news: Balotelli finally leaves for free

Liverpool transfer news: Gonzalo Higuain wants Anfield move

31 May

Gonzalo Higuain has Liverpool in his sights as he attempts to "force an exit" from Napoli, according to the Daily Mirror.

The paper does not explain why the 28-year-old Argentine striker wants to quit the Italian side, who finished second in La Liga and will play in the Champions League next season, except to suggest that he "would like to play under Jurgen Klopp".

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Higuain hit 36 league goals in 35 matches during the past campaign, notes the paper. That has led to overtures from some clubs, including Manchester United, but his "camp are surprised Liverpool have yet to show any interest".

The Mirror is also perplexed. Higuain "has the proven goal-scoring record Liverpool need and is not deterred by the Reds' failure to qualify for Europe next season", it says, pointing out that Klopp is likely to revamp his forward line this summer, with Christian Benteke set to leave and Daniel Sturridge also under scrutiny.

The Liverpool Echo, however, is sceptical. "There's just one hitch," it says. "Liverpool haven't shown any interest."

The paper also carries bad news in relation to Polish midfielder Piotr Zielinski. Reports over the bank holiday weekend claimed the 22-year-old had all but signed for the Reds. However, it now appears that Liverpool has failed to agree a fee with Zielinski's Italian owners, Udinese, and relations between the two clubs are now "strained".

Meanwhile, could Joe Allen be heading back across the border to Wales? The South Wales Evening Post believes so and says that the former Swansea star, who followed manager Brendan Rodgers to Anfield, may be returning to his homeland.

Swansea are "are right in the hunt" to sign him, claims the paper, which adds that the decision to appoint Francesco Guidolin as manager may help make up Allen's mind as he wants to shake off his reputation as a favourite of Rodgers, who's now in charge of Celtic.

Liverpool transfer news: Will anyone buy Mario Balotelli?

27 May

One of football's biggest flops is returning to Liverpool after being ditched by yet another club. Yes, 'Super' Mario Balotelli is set to return to Anfield after AC Milan "opted against making his loan move a permanent one", reports The Sun.

The wonderkid turned wastrel has netted just one goal in 20 appearances for Milan and that's led the club to send the 25-year-old Italian striker back to Liverpool. "Balotelli's contract with us has expired and there are going to be many players leaving us," explained AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The question now is what will now happen to Balotelli, who has fallen out of favour at Inter, Manchester City, Milan and Liverpool, the club he joined for £16m in the summer of 2014. He managed just one goal in 16 games on Merseyside and the Sun says neither the Reds nor Balotelli want to give it another crack. His only hope, says the paper, is to look for "a deal in Turkey or the mega-rich Chinese Super League", although Sky Sports claims that Italian outfit Sampdoria have expressed an interest.

One player who has fulfilled his considerable talent during a glittering career is Barcelona defender Dani Alves, who could be set for a swansong with Liverpool. The 33-year-old is expected to leave Barcelona this summer after eight outstanding years at the Camp Nou and though rumours have linked the Brazilian right-back to Juventus, that's not how his agent sees it.

The Daily Express reports that Dinorah Santa Ana da Silva told Marca newspaper: "It's not true that there is an agreement. Dani has not completed any deal with anyone."

Asked where he might want to wind down his career, Alves' representative said: "I have met with two Turkish clubs, one English club and another one in France but there is no offer and we have nothing to evaluate."

Liverpool are believed to be the club in question with manager Jurgen Klopp desperate to shore up his fragile defence ahead of next season.

Liverpool transfer news: Mario Gotze turns his back on Anfield

24 May

Just 24 hours after stories suggesting he was on the brink of leaving Bayern Munich, Germany midfielder Mario Gotze has "dealt a blow" to Liverpool and their hopes of landing him over the summer, by insisting his future lies with the German champions.

It seems that the 23-year-old isn't as keen as people thought he was to be reunited with Jurgen Klopp, his former mentor at Borussia Dortmund, and instead wants to hang around in Munich.

Key to his change of heart could be the fact that Gotze has parted company with agent Volker Struth, reports Talksport. His company, SportsTotal, represent a number of Germany stars, including Toni Kroos and Marco Reus. Talksport also says Struth was behind many of the stories about Gotze being unhappy at Bayern. He criticised Bayern's handling of his client and even accused Pep Guardiola of "destroying" his career.

Gotze, it seems, was less concerned that his agent. Talksport reports that in an interview with German rag Bild, Gotze shrugged off rumours linking him with a £20m move to Anfield. “I look forward to the new season in Munich and will do everything possible to be in top shape during my first training session under Carlo Ancelotti," he said.

Liverpool transfer news: Mario Gotze could sign this week

23 May

This could be the week that Mario Gotze finally signs along the dotted line for the Reds. That's the belief of The Sun, which says that Jurgen Klopp is moving in for the kill having stalked his former protege for months.

The paper explains that Liverpool "are keen to get their transfer business done quickly" this summer, and they will table the £20m offer this week in the expectation their bid will be accepted by Bayern Munich. Gotze and Klopp know each other from their time working together at Borussia Dortmund, and the manager believes that the midfielder "can fire his team towards the top four" next season. Gotze for his part is eager for regular game time having spent much of his three years at Bayern warming his behind on the bench.

According to Metro Martin Skrtel "will leave Liverpool this summer" and is likely to head to Turkey. The Slovakia international has allegedly told Klopp he needs a new challenge and the 31-year-old has several options, says Metro, with Fenerbahce and Besiktas both interested in the centre-back.

Finally, the Daily Star claims that the Reds "are considering a summer move" for Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater. The 26-year-old has impressed Jurgen Klopp this season and the German is preparing a big-money offer for Drinkwater, who made his England debut earlier this year. Despite the fact Drinkwater would be missing out on Champions League football if he moves to Anfield, the Star says the playmaker would be prepared to forgo the tournament "to play for a big name club".

Liverpool transfer news: Benteke and Balotelli head for exit

18 May

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp wants to sort out the striker situation at Anfield this summer and could offload two of his big-name forwards.

First up is Christian Benteke who could be heading to West Ham, according to The Sun. The Hammers are themselves revamping their squad but have so far failed in their attempts to land a new frontman, reports the paper.

An offer for Bournemouth forward Callum Wilson and a £31m bid for Lyon's French striker Alexandre Lacazette have both been rejected and now West Ham could turn their attention to Benteke.

"The club hope Liverpool may agree to a loan deal for the unwanted Belgian," says the paper as the hitman clearly has "no future" at Anfield.

However, the Hammers will also ask the Reds to subsidise Benteke's £120,000-a-week wages.

It would be a similar deal to the one Liverpool and West Ham agreed for Andy Carroll. He joined the Hammers on loan from Anfield in 2012 before signing permanently a year later. He may also be the West Ham player who is offloaded to make room for Benteke.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's efforts to wash their hands of misfit Mario Balotelli continue. The Italian has spent the season on loan at AC Milan, but hopes that he would resurrect his career at home in Italy have been dashed after another dismal campaign from the forward, whose career is in danger of drifting away.

An offer to exchange Balotelli for the promising young French striker M'Baye Niang was turned down flat by the Italian club who have no interest in keeping the player, reports Football Italia.

However a move to Spain could be on the cards, with Espanyol reportedly interested in the former Manchester City and Inter Milan striker, reports the Spanish website Fichajes.