Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Gonzalo Higuain, Mario Balotelli Rumours

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has "pleaded" with his club to accept an offer from Brendan Rodgers, allowing him to head to England to play for Liverpool. 

Italian newspaper Sport Mediaset (h/t Anthony Chapman of the Express) say the Argentinian predator wants to follow Rafa Benitez out the Naples door, with Anfield his desired destination. 

Marco Giordano of Goal.com reported in April that the Reds were considering making a move for the striker, and it now seems those rumours might be coming to fruition. Giordano said a move "would be welcomed" by the player and his representatives, but they were initially willing to talk about a new deal with the Serie A team.

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However, Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has warned Italy and Europe's big clubs to stay away from their top players as they look to rebuild after Benitez's exit, per SportItalia (h/t Mark Doyle of Goal): "Some Italian clubs from the north have taken an interest, but he [Higuain] will stay with us. Now the job is to reinforce both the midfield and defence. We want to touch the attack as little as possible."

Higuain still has three years of his current deal to run after his €40 million transfer from Real Madrid in 2013, per Doyle, so it is expected only a huge sum would facilitate the transfer of the player.

Paul Hayward of the Telegraph questioned the potential valuations being touted for Higuain and those of the biggest transfer rumours at present:

Higuain has continued to prove himself to be one of the best strikers in the world since his arrival at Napoli, hitting 25 goals in Serie A and the Champions League last term, per WhoScored.com. However, his club's failure to qualify for Europe's elite competition might force the player to chase the riches on offer in the Premier League. 

Rodgers Stuck With Balotelli

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In other news, Liverpool appear to be lumbered with Italian misfit Mario Balotelli, with potential suitors Sampdoria publicly ruling out a transfer move for the striker.

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo quotes Sampdoria coach Walter Zenga speaking about his options for 2015-16, with the Italian legend categorically denying a move for the player, despite his club president flirting with the option last April:

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Cassano and Balotelli are players of extraordinary talent, but no, we won’t be signing them. Giampaolo Pazzini? Who wouldn’t like to train a player like that? But there are problems with such signings that fans are unaware of.

We have already made three or four buys. There’s Edgar Barreto, Niklas Moisander, Federico Bonazzoli and Mattia Cassani. We got Cassani to plug the gap after Lorenzo De Silvestri’s injury. The club acted quickly in the transfer market and we are building a good squad.

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Balotelli has been a disaster since signing for Rodgers last year, and it is obvious why the manager wants to cut his losses. The former Manchester City EPL title-winner has netted just once in the English league since moving to Anfield, per WhoScored. 

Undoubtedly, Higuain would be an exceptional signing for Liverpool and is the type of world-class goalscoring option Rodgers needs to fill the shoes of Luis Suarez.

Daniel Sturridge's return to fitness will help ease the burden in the forward positions, but Liverpool need to revamp their squad in order to qualify for the Champions League.

But it is questionable whether Higuain will move from one team who failed to qualify for the Champions League to another. He is an elite player who wants to play in Europe's biggest matches, and Liverpool cannot offer him that at present.