Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Mario Balotelli and Ezequiel Lavezzi Rumours

Liverpool have rejected an offer from Parma to take Mario Balotelli on loan, per GianlucaDiMarzio.com.

Balotelli only joined Liverpool last summer from AC Milan, but he has scored just two goals in 18 appearances in all competitions, per WhoScored.com. He has yet to score in the Premier League.

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri recently dismissed talk of an approach for Balotelli, per RAI (via Selene Scarsi of ESPN FC). According to Di Marzio, though, Parma did make a loan enquiry, but they were turned down by Liverpool.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers doesn't want Balotelli to leave in January, per Andy Hunter of The Guardian: “There is a lot of speculation about Mario but in January he is a player we want to still have here. We want as many good players as we can between now and the end of the season. He is not one we want to move.”

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But, while the likes of Balotelli are being linked with moves away from Anfield, there is continued speculation of possible arrivals at the club.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Ezequiel Lavezzi is a reported target for Liverpool, per Joe Short of the Daily Express, with Valencia also interested in the striker.

And Liverpool’s interest in signing the Argentinian could have been given a boost by reports that PSG want Palermo forward Paulo Dybala.

Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express writes that PSG would be prepared to let Lavezzi leave in the January transfer window, if they can sign Dybala.

Lavezzi would reportedly cost £8 million, but South American football correspondent Tim Vickery has warned Liverpool against signing him. Vickery told Hawksbee and Jacobs on talkSPORT (via Billy Denny): “There is interest [from Liverpool]. I would see this one as a little bit of a gamble. Although it’s only £8 million, he is coming up to 30 so he doesn't really have much of a sell-on value.”

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Liverpool do look set to miss out on West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino this month, though, per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail. West Brom reportedly want £20 million for Berahino after Liverpool made an enquiry.

Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne is also admired by Rodgers, per Peter Guy of the Liverpool Echo.

A right-back is highly likely to be needed by Liverpool in the summer as Glen Johnson is out of contract and not expected to sign an extension, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

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A summer move for Clyne would make sense as the England international has become one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League, but it is hard to see Southampton letting him go now.

And, while goals have been hard to come by for Liverpool’s strikers this season, especially with Daniel Sturridge injured, a new signing doesn't seem to be a necessity.

If Rodgers plans to keep Balotelli, then there is no real merit in trying to bring in Lavezzi, even if he does become available, as it would only give the Liverpool manager more selection problems.