Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Exit Rumours Grow, Xherdan Shaqiri Blow

Mario Balotelli is once again being linked with a move away from Liverpool. With the January transfer window upon us, reports suggest Paris Saint-Germain are "considering a bid" for the Italian striker this month.

That's the line from Mediaset Italia (h/t Colin Harvey of the Daily Star). Balotelli is yet to score in the Premier League this season and has lost his place in the Reds lineup. Manager Brendan Rodgers has switched to playing a 3-4-3, with Raheem Sterling starting as the side's most advanced forward, leaving no room for Balotelli in the starting XI.

Harvey writes that an "escape route" could be offered by PSG, who recently handed Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani fines after they failed to report for training. It is suggested both players' futures are "uncertain" at the Parc des Princes and that Balotelli could be an unlikely replacement for either.

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It will certainly take an ambitious club to offer the former Manchester City man an opportunity. Despite possessing obvious potential to be a world-class goalscorer, the 24-year-old has rarely shown the application to develop his skills.

He has disappointed for more than one club in Serie A and the Premier League, so it's difficult to suggest Ligue 1 would be any different.

Balotelli would likely only have a bit-part role to play at PSG. Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains the club's star man and isn't going to relinquish his spot in Blanc's 4-3-3 any time soon.

Rodgers previously suggested Liverpool may have offered Balotelli his "last chance" to make it at the top level, but it's fair to say many fans would be happy to see PSG prove the Northern Irishman wrong.

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Swiss newspaper Blick (h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Star) reported that Bayern Munich ace Xherdan Shaqiri agreed a deal to join the Anfield club; however, Thursday's developments crushed the side's hopes of confirming such a transfer, with Inter steaming in to tie Shaqiri up.

The San Siro club confirmed they are close to adding the creative star to their squad:

Liverpool's inability to capture Shaqiri will undoubtedly frustrate many. Although he doesn't possess what the Reds need—he isn't a top striker, midfield general or intelligent centre-back—his quality could have shone under Rodgers.

Supporters are likely to cast their mind back to last January, when the club failed to secure deals for Mohamed Salah and Yevhen Konoplyanka. Or even worse, there was Alexis Sanchez's decision to snub Merseyside during the summer.

Liverpool so often appear on the cusp of capturing quality, but they must work harder to ensure their targets aren't snapped up elsewhere.

Football pundit Andy Brassell recently weighed up numerous possibilities with B/R UK's Ryan Bailey:

Rodgers has managed to establish some kind of rhythm with his switch to a 3-4-3, but Liverpool have an awful lot of work ahead of them to make the Champions League places this season. Currently seven points off fourth-place Southampton, an unbeaten run of four Premier League matches will at least have fans feeling optimistic about the new year.

Balotelli's form (or indeed departure) could aid matters, while the club's ability to unearth essential talent can provide a boost for the rest of the season. Shaqiri may be added to the list of those who got away, but Rodgers needs to address more obvious priorities if his winter window is to be deemed a success.