Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Denied Move, Ignacio Camacho Rumours

On loan Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is reportedly set for a return to Anfield after AC Milan chief executive officer Adriano Galliani claimed the controversial forward "did not merit" a permanent deal.

Per FourFourTwo, Galliani has not been impressed by Balotelli's contribution on his return to the San Siro after failing to recapture the stunning form he produced in his first spell with the Serie A giants.

Sent out on a season-long loan by former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, Balotelli has struggled to reassert himself at the club and has made just three starts in 15 Serie A appearances, scoring a solitary goal.

That strike came about in the fifth minute of the 3-2 away victory over Udinese back in September, with head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic preferring a substitute role for the Italy international forward.

Balotelli has done little to persuade the club official he would be a worthwhile signing, with Galliani telling reporters: "Mario is feeling well. He is desperate to stay here at Milan. But like I have said before, he does not merit a permanent deal at the moment. We really like Mario, but he has to convince us to earn a permanent deal."

The attacker's contract at Anfield is set to expire in June 2018, leaving the forward on the cusp of a segue in his career. At 25 years old, Balotelli's age can no longer be used as an excuse to brush away criticism for his on-pitch performances or behaviour.

Inconsistency remains the Italian's most problematic characteristic, with the former Manchester City player's contributions falling way short of the standards he set himself in his first tenure in the red and black stripes.

Per Soccerway, Balotelli netted 37 goals in 43 Serie A appearances to earn himself a return to the Premier League with Liverpool, but he failed to win over Rodgers before being sent back on loan to Italy.  

Boss Mihajlovic claims it is up to Balotelli to prove his worth to the team:

Back on Merseyside, Liverpool's preparations for next season are already under way, with transfer target Ignacio Camacho reportedly given a tour of the training facilities, per Liam Spence of the Daily Express. 

Malaga's defensive midfielder has impressed suitors with his combative displays this term, having scored twice in 17 appearances.

According to the Mirror, the former Atletico Madrid youth product would be available to sign for a fee of £10million due to a buyout clause in his contract. 

The Spain under-21 international's performances have reportedly forced the club to try to push through a new deal in order to prevent their star player from leaving for a fee below his current worth.  

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

According to Spence, Camacho, 25, is believed to favour a move to the Premier League with Jurgen Klopp's side despite interest from title-challengers Tottenham Hotspur.

Klopp is widely expected to overhaul the club's playing staff in his first pre-season at Anfield in a bid to improve their on-field fortunes.