Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Set for Talks, Latest Reds Rumours

Mario Balotelli's agent is set to meet Liverpool officials to discuss the future of his struggling client. 

Mino Raiola is looking for "some clarity" about the striker's current situation at Anfield, where his long-term prospects appear in doubt because of his failure to hold down a first-team place. That's according to Sky Sport's Gianluca Di Marzio, who also played down Juventus' rumoured interest in the player.

"The Bianconeri are removing all doubts by making their intentions clear, [and] they resent some of the recent links to Balotelli," translates David Amoyal on Di Marzio's website. He continued by suggesting that Raiola's links to the Serie A champions may stem from their interest in a Borussia Dortmund star:

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Super Mario's agent will however meet with Liverpool on Tuesday to discuss his client's future: this summit should bring some clarity to Balotelli's short-term future.

Even Balotelli's entourage is denying there have been contacts with Juventus, but Juve has been talking to Raiola about another of his client[s], Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Balotelli won't be wearing black in white in 2015, at least according to Juventus.

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Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Sky Sport journalist Fabrizio Romano recently provided an update from Raiola, stating that Balotelli won't be on the move in January:

Balotelli last started in the Premier League in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Nov. 8. Granted, he has struggled with injury problems in recent times, but Brendan Rodgers has handed him a quartet of substitute appearances since, per WhoScored.com.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Rodgers may have used the Italian's fitness issues to initiate a long-term plan. The boss switched Liverpool to 3-4-3 once Balotelli dropped out of the team, allowing the side to focus on creative midfield play. The addition of an energetic forward through the centre—either Raheem Sterling or Fabio Borini in recent matches—has aided the side's return to form.

Balotelli's lack of movement and inability to score a Premier League goal in over half a season makes him a prime candidate for a transfer. Rob Shepherd of the Daily Mail believes that Liverpool need to sell him to fund moves for Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain and Sampdoria's Sergio Romero, with Sampdoria emerging as a potential candidate to take Balotelli away from Anfield.

Any money received could be put toward the acquisition of rumoured target Saido Berahino, per Simon Mullock of the Mirror. The West Bromwich Albion hitman bagged the winner against Hull City in the Baggies' first Premier League match since Tony Pulis' appointment. He has scored nine times in the division this season, per WhoScored.com, and he recently hinted he is looking toward bigger things.

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Simon Rice of The Independent provided Berahino's quotes after Saturday's win over the Tigers:

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I’m playing, [so] I can’t complain. I’m starting to score goals again, which I’m enjoying. That’s as far as it goes. Obviously I’ve got big ambitions, but at the moment I’m a West Brom player, and I’m enjoying my football. There are always rumours going around, but I can’t control anything. The only thing I can control is what I do on the field.

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Football pundit Andy Brassell recently took a look at Liverpool's potential signings with B/R UK's Ryan Bailey:

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 13 games in all competitions. There's a growing sense that when Daniel Sturridge returns, Rodgers' men can put together a run for the Champions League places.

It's no coincidence that performances have improved since Balotelli exited the side, meaning Raiola may soon need to negotiate a move elsewhere.