Mario Balotelli has finalised a transfer to Nice after months of dilly-dallying. Liverpool were keen to get rid of the mercurial Italian who was purchased from AC Milan two years ago. Liverpool starlet Luis Alberto also sealed a transfer to Italian club Lazio.
According to reports, Mario Balotelli took his medical earlier today even before Liverpool had agreed a deal with Nice. Liverpool has, however, succeeded in agreeing a deal with Nice for the transfer of the player. Liverpool are letting him go for free, after having purchased the Italian for £16 million during the Brendan Rodgers era. The transfer is a permanent one and not a loan.
The official announcement was made soon from Nice as Balotelli looks set to continue a new life in France after inconsistent spells in Italy and England. It is important to note that Nice helped re-launch Hatem Ben Arfa’s career and it could do the same for Balotelli.
Luis Alberto arrives in Rome
Lazio have been looking for a winger as backup to Felipe Anderson and Ricardo Kishna who are currently first choice at the Stadio Olimpico. Moreover, the temperamental Keita Balde situation remains unresolved as he will probably be frozen from the squad following his antics.
The failure to secure Alessio Cerci from Atletico Madrid left Lazio with only one solution – signing a winger from Liverpool who has made only 12 appearances after he was signed from Sevilla. Lazio have reportedly paid £4.3 million plus potential add-ons to ensure the Spaniard moves to Italy (via ESPNFC).
Sakho to turn down loan move
Mamadou Sakho rejected three loan offers already, according to Daily Mail, and is showing dogged determination about fighting for a place in Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp despite the club making it very clear that he has no future at Anfield. The defender has rejected Stoke and West Brom, and looks to be the only unwanted Liverpool player this summer that they aren’t able to get rid of.
