Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Twist as Napoli React to Bid Rumours

Mario Balotelli is not set to be rescued from his Liverpool travails by a January transfer to Napoli after all, with the Serie A club's sporting director denying recent rumours linking them with the Italian.

Balotelli was reported as a target for Napoli boss Rafa Benitez earlier this week, per Martin Lipton in the Daily Mirror, with the 24-year-old having started life at Anfield in poor fashion.

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However, sporting director Riccardo Bigon says the Italian outfit have no interest in the striker and insists the rumours surrounding Balotelli are false, per Mediaset (h/t Sky Sports):

"

It's a rumour told in Spain, England and Italy but I don't think it is a possibility. Nothing of what has been posted is true. Mario Balotelli is a really great player but he has been just signed by Liverpool who belives a lot in him. Best wishes to him in his English adventure. 

"

Indeed, it was seemingly a rather far-fetched notion that Balotelli would be moved on from Liverpool in January, having only arrived on Merseyside from AC Milan in August for £16 million.

He has not started at all well for the Reds—especially compared with his opening form at previous clubs, per 101 Great Goals—with his finishing touch deserting him as Liverpool attempt to adjust to life without the departed Luis Suarez:

However, Balotelli is an undeniable talent and may well come good given time. To offload him so soon would be a short-sighted move from boss Brendan Rodgers. Balotelli did show his quality in midweek as he came off the bench to score the vital equaliser in Liverpool's 2-1 League Cup win over Swansea.

It was always going to be difficult replacing the incomparable Suarez, whose 31 league goals last season almost took Liverpool to a first English title since 1990. Balotelli and fellow summer signing Rickie Lambert have thus far failed to dazzle.

The Reds have had a poor start all over the pitch in the main but have also been without Daniel Sturridge, whose return from injury could spark a resurgence from both Balotelli individually and Rodgers' side overall.

There are still many who think that Balotelli is not the long-term solution to the team's striking problems, including former Liverpool player Michael Owen, and Brendan Rodgers may look to bolster his attack again come January:

However, the Northern Irishman would be foolish to get rid of Balotelli without giving him a proper chance to prove himself and certainly it seems Napoli will not be putting in a tempting offer come the new year.

Whether offers will come in from other clubs sensing a bargain remains to be seen. All Balotelli can do is make sure his form turns around and silences any chatter urging Liverpool to cut their losses and get rid of the mercurial striker.