Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Has Heart Set on Move, Latest Rumours

Liverpool misfit Mario Balotelli has rejected the chance to leave the club after Dubai outfit Al-Ahli revealed the Italian spurned their advances. Meanwhile, Roma have set their sights on Reds left-back Alberto Moreno.

As told to Sky Sports Italia (via Mirror's Aaron Flanagan), Al-Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu said his club have spoken with Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola, but the striker has his eyes on a move elsewhere:

“We thought about Balotelli and we even had a discussion with his agent Mino Raiola. But Balotelli turned down our proposal because he wants to play for another.”

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

The big question is just who that other club is, something Reds coach Brendan Rodgers will be eager to find out if he's to offload a player who proved poor value for money upon making his Premier League return.

Balotelli managed just four goals in 28 appearances across all competitions last season, leading Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail to question during pre-season exactly how the club will get rid of his signature:

The 24-year-old became infamous for possessing a bad-boy streak early in his career, causing a considerable fuss at Inter Milan and Manchester City before seeming to settle down slightly with AC Milan and Liverpool.

However, the once promising Italy international has lost what was once a venomous touch in front of goal, with the summer arrivals of Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings only likely to restrict his playing time further.

Unfortunately for Rodgers, Liverpool can't force the player out of the Anfield exit, with three years remaining on his current deal and genuine suitors difficult to come by.

One club that might still consider the former Serie A star is Lazio, according to the Mirror (h/t Football Italia). The club may look to the forward if they qualify for the Champions League:

Liverpool may not hold high hopes of that transfer coming to fruition, though, after it was revealed the Rome outfit face a difficult play-off fixture against Bayer Leverkusen if they're to make it into Europe's premier contest.

Balotelli's rejection of Al-Ahli would suggest the attacker is at least still looking to feature in one of Europe's top leagues, but his Anfield chances may already have run dry.

Alberto Moreno Targeted By Roma

Vincent Thian/Associated Press

Liverpool and Roma are locked on course to duel for full-back talent this summer after David Amoyal, on behalf of Gianluca Di Marzio, reported the Serie A giants are targeting Anfield incumbent Moreno and Lucas Digne.

Glen Johnson, now at Stoke City, was Moreno's main competition for the left-back role last season, while the Express (h/t Chris Beesley of the Liverpool Echo) has confirmed Digne as a target for the Reds, too.

Mike Janes/Associated Press

Moreno made a positive start in England and Rodgers will be eager to keep hold of the Spaniard with the 2015-16 Premier League season ready to get underway.

Digne's agent Mikkel Beck spoke to Goal's Loic Tanzi, confirming the France international is hoping to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer and secure his place at Euro 2016:

"It's simple: There are the Euros at end of the season and Lucas will no longer waste time. He wants to re-join the France squad for Euro 2016. And that can only happen with game time. He must be able to play in a big club and, above all, to have a starting spot. Otherwise, it’s not worth leaving PSG.”

Michel Euler/Associated Press

Tanzi asserts that Digne has played in just 30 of PSG's last 76 matches since moving from Lille two years ago, with Maxwell clinching the starting berth ahead of him.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson reports Digne will complete an initial loan move to Roma before sealing a permanent switch next year:

Rodgers will take it as a relief should that prove to be the case, leaving Moreno untouched as he looks to begin a new campaign with a new-look defence.

Liverpool have once again undergone a metamorphosis this summer, but with three weeks of the transfer window remaining, speculation remains fervent that Rodgers' squad is set for further change.