Liverpool Transfer News: Magpies Chasing Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert Rumours

A striker exodus could well be unfolding at Anfield this summer following news that Newcastle United are interested in a loan deal for Mario Balotelli, while Rickie Lambert looks poised for a Liverpool departure.

The Liverpool Echo's Chris Beesley cites Winnersports, reporting that new Magpies chief Steve McLaren is looking to take a chance on Balotelli following a torrid first campaign with the Reds.

The striker moved to Merseyside from Milan last summer for a fee of £16 million but has struggled to settle since making his Premier League return and netted just one goal in 16 league outings last term.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers may be preparing to free up even more space in attack, too, as Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell suggests Fabio Borini will also be moved on to pastures new:

Balotelli has always carried the "poisoned chalice" persona in that his significant talent goes hand-in-hand with a debatable attitude, but the 2014-15 campaign hints that not even the former remains.

Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero alleged earlier this week that a Serie A return could be in store for Balotelli, but the Italian club's coach, Walter Zenga, spoke to Rai Radio 2 (via Goal's Sacha Pisani) to deny those claims:

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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. We'll see what else happens, the market is open until the start of September.

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It's understandable McLaren should seek striker reinforcements as Papiss Demba Cisse stands out as his most experienced attacker, with the likes of Sammy Ameobi, Ayoze Perez and Emmanuel Riviere not the most seasoned assets.

However, any temporary deal for Balotelli seems unlikely—especially to a Premier League rival—as Liverpool instead look to recoup as much of their investment as possible.

Rickie Lambert Accepts Summer Exit

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

This summer's arrivals of Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino have only pushed fringe player Lambert further down the Reds ranks, with the former Southampton star now accepting of a summer move away.

According to ESPN (via the Mirror), Lambert knows he "has no future at Liverpool" but could remain in the English top flight as West Brom, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace appear among those clubs interested in him.

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It would signal the end of a very uneventful year at Anfield for the 33-year-old, who netted three goals in 29 total appearances for the Reds, only 10 of which were starts.

Following Liverpool's £12.5 million acquisition of Nathaniel Clyne, the Press Association's Simon Peach made sure to take note of the inflated market route, of which Lambert was a piece last year:

With just a year remaining on his contract, Lambert wouldn't be expected to draw much of a fee for the Merseysiders, especially considering he'll turn 34 years of age in the coming campaign.

The Mirror's David Anderson reports the Baggies as a particular favourite to land the England international following Tony Pulis' interest in his signing:

With a fully fit crop of Daniel Sturridge, Ings and Firmino to work against, it's unsurprising Lambert should look to move elsewhere if he's to make the most of his remaining years or feature for the national team again.