Stoke City are interested in the Liverpool FC striker Mario Balotelli following the Italian’s falling out with manager Brendan Rodgers.
Balotelli has been an unmitigated disaster for Liverpool, scoring only one Premier League goal over the course of last season after his £16m move from Milan.
With Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings already signed, and Christian Benteke likely to join them, the Italian has been deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield, and has been given permission by the club to look elsewhere.
It is understood that Mark Hughes is looking to bolster the Stoke squad following their 9th place finish in 2014/15. Their attack has already been boosted with the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri, but will look to provide more competition for Peter Crouch and Mame Diouf up front with the signing of Balotelli.
Sources from inside the Stoke City club claim that they have the finances to complete what will be a £14m move from Liverpool. Stoke will continue to pay Balotelli the same wages, of £60,000 a week, making him the club’s highest paid player.