Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Napoli Deal Reportedly Being Lined Up

Mario Balotelli's disastrous second stay in English football could be about to acrimoniously end with talks Napoli are preparing to buy the controversial Italian from Liverpool.

Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato reports that despite interest from Balotelli's former club Inter Milan, it is the Naples team who are likely to try and bring the player back to Serie A. West Morning News summarises the latest to come out of Italy:

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It was thought that his former Manchester City and Inter boss, Roberto Mancini, would be favourite to land Balotelli in January, but there are now behind-the-scenes moves taking place to set up a transfer to Napoli, according to Italian paper Tutto Mercato.

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The striker recently caused uproar on social media after posting a picture and caption which could be interpreted as a discriminatory slur.

Balotelli has since apologised for the incident but it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back for the Anfield giants.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Balotelli has been poor since his signing by Brendan Rodgers and has failed to live up to his £16 million price tag. Purchasing the player was surely a loaded gamble for Rodgers—especially after handling the constant issues with Luis Suarez—and it seems the coach has lost his bet on this occasion.

The 24-year-old Italy international has played 14 times for the Reds in all competitions and has only managed to find the net twice, per WhoScored.com.

Former Liverpool stars have lined up to criticise the player, with Steve Nicol and Jamie Carragher showing their disdain towards Super Mario.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Nicol recently spoke to TalkSport about Balotelli and said the Italian had made a "mockery" of his short time at Anfield. Nicol also said he would rather see a more workmanlike player like Shane Long at Liverpool as he has more "guts" than the former Manchester City man:

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They spent £16million on Balotelli but I would prefer to have signed someone like Shane Long. He’s someone who will come on the field and throw his guts into a game and give you everything he’s got.

He might hot have the ability or the CV of Balotelli but the fans would love him. Instead, you’ve got a guy who is not producing on the field and who’s making a mockery of the club off the field.

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Jon Super/Associated Press

TV pundit Carragher also aimed his attentions at Balotelli, saying the forward "will be sold before next season," per Sky Sports:

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I can’t change the way I feel about Balotelli, and that’s nothing to do with what he’s done in a Liverpool shirt. It’s what he’s done at Man City, what he’s done at AC Milan. 

Do I think he’s going to be here long term? No. I’d be surprised to see him here next season if I’m being honest. These players, who are continually moved on, it’s for a reason.

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Jon Super/Associated Press

It is likely that Balotelli will not be at Liverpool in the near future but only one man can take responsibility for his failure: Brendan Rodgers.

It is incredulous to think Rodgers truly believed Balotelli was the answer to his side's issues once it was clear he had a huge amount of money burning in his pocket from Suarez's sale to Barcelona.

Balotelli is everything Suarez is not. Whereas the Uruguayan works for the full 90 minutes, Balotelli is famous for going missing. And where Suarez is a constant goal-threat—feeding in his fellow attackers—Balotelli is pedestrian and disinterested.

If Liverpool can recoup their £16 million investment in the next transfer window they will have got very lucky. Balotelli did not have the focus to be a success at City, so why Rodgers thought he could make him into something different is difficult to comprehend.