Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Deal Offered by Lazio, Latest Rumours

Liverpool could be set to finally offload troublesome striker Mario Balotelli, but it appears they will have to settle for a loan agreement initially, rather than a permanent move.

The Italian forward has no future at Anfield having failed to make the grade following his £16 million switch from AC Milan last summer, with Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino also now at the club.

Serie A side Lazio have reportedly offered to take Balotelli off Liverpool's hands. However, they will only take him on loan, and if they qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, per the Mirror's David Maddock.

The report indicates that Lazio are "prepared to commit" to a £1.5 million loan deal ahead of a potential permanent £12.5 million transfer.

Such terms would be more than Liverpool could have dreamed of, as it previously seemed evident that the Reds would struggle to make even half of what they paid for Balotelli back, particularly as he was previously being linked with the likes of newly promoted Serie A club Bologna, per Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell:

There is a twist in the tale, though. Maddock reports that Lazio will only be able to pay 30 per cent of Balotelli’s current £80,000-a-week salary, meaning the Reds will have to pick up the slack should Balotelli refuse a pay cut.

It is not an ideal scenario for Liverpool and manager Brendan Rodgers, but it looks to be about the best deal they could hope for in their efforts to get rid of the underperforming Balotelli.

Rodgers described the purchase of the former Manchester City forward as a "calculated gamble" last summer, per the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce. It is a gamble that most certainly hasn't paid off after he netted just one Premier League goal last season, per WhoScored.com.

But the eventual losses could be limited if Lazio are indeed prepared to buy Balotelli permanently after a loan spell.

A return to Serie A could also benefit Balotelli himself, as the 24-year-old has come under enormous scrutiny during his time back in the Premier League.

All parties should be hoping that Lazio can get through the Champions League play-off round to the group stages. The draw for the play-off round takes place on Friday, and Lazio could face a tough challenge against Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, or even Liverpool's archrivals Manchester United.