Liverpool Transfer News: Sampdoria, Watford Contact Mario Balotelli, Top Rumours

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli looks set for an inevitable exit away from Anfield this summer, with Sampdoria and Watford the latest teams said to be in contact about a move for the Italy international.

Translating for GianlucaDiMarzio.com, David Amoyal writes that the Serie A side are looking to have Balotelli and Antonio Cassano at the point of their attack, but the striker is keen on staying in England. It’s noted in the piece that he’s already held talks with up to three clubs and that Watford is one of those sides.

However, according to Adam Newson of the Watford Observer, the Hornets have no interest in trying to sign the 25-year-old forward.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

A move to another English team would be an intriguing proposition for Balotelli. After all, at his best the Italian has all the attributes to thrive in English football, as he marries pace, power and a technical flair to complement those physical qualities. But it’s been a long time since we witnessed Balotelli at full tilt in the Premier League.

As we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, he looks to have completely lost his golden touch in front of goal:

Serie A is a destination that would surely make more sense. The division is not as high profile as the Premier League, meaning Balotelli wouldn’t be under immense scrutiny and pressure to perform every week. In addition, as was evidenced by the 22 league goals he scored in his time at Milan, per WhoScored.com, he’ll know that he’s capable of getting on the scoresheet.

He seems to be wanted by the Blucerchiati as well. According to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t football-italia.net) Cassano has text the Liverpool man saying “come to Samp and you won’t regret it, we’ll do great things together.”

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Given Cassano’s own fiery reputation, it’s a strike partnership that would certainly be intriguing to watch. Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports doesn’t necessarily think it’d be ideal for the manager’s well being:

Sampdoria is an illustrious club with a proud history, meaning that for Balotelli, it’d be yet another chance to relaunch what is a toiling career. Playing in a familiar division for a team that’s below the elite level may be exactly what he needs to concentrate squarely on football; for Samp, he’d be one of the key attacking players on the team too.

Liverpool and manager Brendan Rodgers will surely be delighted if they do finally get Balotelli off the books. It’s a transfer that was always going to be a massive gamble and despite being handed ample opportunities, the Italian has let another chance slip by at one of the world’s biggest football clubs. At this juncture, it looks unlikely that he’ll ever get that kind of opportunity again.