Mario Balotelli is on the brink of
re-joining AC Milan on a season-long loan after arriving for a medical on
Tuesday morning.
The Liverpool striker, who has been
training away from the first team squad for most of the last month, has been in
Milan over the weekend in an attempt to thrash out a deal to take him away from
Anfield.
Balotelli was pictured coming out of
a black Audi wearing a red Puma hoodie as he made his way into
hospital.
He said: 'I'm happy to be back, I
have so many words, sincerely, I look only to train and demonstrate. Physically
I feel pretty good, I just have to train with the team.'
Talking outside the La Madonnina
clinic, he added: 'I have so many important reasons, but I really don't
want to talk, only to work. Did I imagine returning to
Milan? Yes, I have always hoped to go back because AC Milan is in my heart. Now
I have to start working and do a good year, then we'll do the rest.'
Milan, who sold
Balotelli to Liverpool
for £16million, will not have to pay a loan fee for the 25-year-old and it is
understood that Liverpool will pay half of the salary he will receive at the
San Siro – a figure which is likely to be in the region of £2.5m
BALOTELLI'S LEAGUE CV
Liverpool (2014-15): 16 games; one goal
AC Milan (2013-14): 43 games; 26 goals
Man City (2010-13): 54 games; 20 goals
Inter Milan (2006-10): five games; two goals
Total cost: £59million
A statement from Milan read: 'At 8:26 this morning, Mario
Balotelli has arrived to La Madonnina Clinic to undergo today's medical.'
Balotelli, on £80,000 a week, scored just once in the Premier
League for the Reds, during a 3-2 win against Tottenham back in February -
adding another three in cup competitions.
It is not yet known whether the deal will include a
clause that requires Milan to make his signing permanent in 12 months’ time but
what is clear is that Liverpool will be relieved to move on a player who has
spectacularly flopped during his time on Merseyside.
A number of clubs have been linked with Balotelli during
the summer, most notably Sampdoria, Lazio and Bologna, but Milan are the only
team who have shown firm interest in the maverick striker.
When asked at the weekend what the future held for
Balotelli, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was non-committal.
‘It’s not something I’ve really
thought of or want to discuss in a press conference,’ said Rodgers. ‘Maybe
something to write about. But every player that comes in here will be
respected.
‘We bring in players that are good
players. Whether it works out for them, it’s entirely up to them. The next
year? You never know what that might hold the team, for myself, the group. So
it’s not fair to talk about an individual.’
If the move to AC Milan fails to
work out, though, it is difficult to see where Balotelli goes next, as Adriano
Galliani – AC Milan’s chief executive – has warned: ‘This is absolutely his
last chance. I hope he understands this.’
It represents quite the about-turn
by Liverpool after Balotelli was hailed as 'outstanding value' by Brendan
Rodgers last year.
This
transfer represents outstanding value for the club and I think we have done a
really smart piece of business here,' he said.
'There is no doubting Mario's ability; he is a
world-class talent and someone who, for such a young age, has vast experience
of playing at the very highest level.
'He has scored goals in the Barclays Premier League, in
Italy, in the Champions League and for his country at international level.
'I believe we have the infrastructure, culture and
environment to get the best out of him and help him achieve his true potential.
We are a strong group here, committed to hard work and he will benefit from
being around it.
'I am looking forward to working with him and helping him
learn more, improve and progress as a player. I'm sure the supporters will make
him feel very welcome.'
Balotelli will face
stern competition at the San Siro, with Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca likely to
form Mihajlovic's front two
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