Liverpool Transfer News: Sergi Samper Deal Rumours, Mario Balotelli £10M Blow

Sergi Samper is tipped to become a Liverpool player this summer after rumours emerged that Barcelona are prepared to let the player leave. 

Jamie Sanderson of Metro notes a report from Fichajes.net that claims the prodigy is dissatisfied with life at Camp Nou after failing to break into the first team and could be persuaded to join the Anfield club by Brendan Rodgers.

Samper has been dubbed "the next Andrea Pirlo," per Lewis Rudd of Metro, and would find himself with an improved chance of being a starter with the Reds.

Rudd reports that the 20-year-old has a £9.6 million buy-out clause in his current deal, leaving the door open for Liverpool to pounce.

At the start of the season, Lee Roden of ESPN FC asked if the prodigy was going to be Barca's new Pep Guardiola, heaping praise on the youngster's shoulders:

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Not every hurdle has been cleared at the first time of asking—settling into Barca B took a while—but he has the desire to get back up and try again until he makes the leap, absorbing more valuable lessons each time. Now, the youngster is demonstrating that he is the future of Barcelona's deepest midfield role; the natural evolution of that position, in its formative stage.

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Samper is highly rated by many, and his qualities would be appreciated by Rodgers and a midfield that is about to lose Steven Gerrard. 

Samper would also be a very affordable capture, as financial fair play is imposed across European football.

This was highlighted by former Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry, who spoke about the Reds' intelligence in the marketplace, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:

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I think the owners Liverpool have got are really smart people. I think the financial fair play rules are starting to have an impact. We’ve suddenly seen last year the profitability of Premier League clubs improving, so we’re getting a bit more of a level playing field.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

In other news, Liverpool will have to find £10 million to pay off Mario Balotelli if they wish to sever ties with the player.

Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star writes that the player has two years left on his current deal and will not depart unless his contract is paid up in full.

Balotelli has been a disastrous signing, and Liverpool need to remove the toxic nature he brings with him to every club. He is not suited to the fast-paced Premier League, and Liverpool have to find an attacker who will complement Daniel Sturridge in the final third of the pitch.

Samper would be an interesting signing, but Liverpool fans would have to be patient for the club to get the most from the inexperienced player. Eventually, he could become a global talent and a very shrewd buy.