Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Rejects Return Amid Latest Reds Rumours

Mario Balotelli revealed he has no interest in returning to parent club Liverpool as he was "never happy" at Anfield, and he wants to stay at AC Milan.

The Italian striker joined Liverpool from Milan in 2014 and endured a torrid debut season on Merseyside before being loaned back to the Serie A side in August last year.

He is due to return to Liverpool at the end of the current campaign, but he said he does not want to rejoin the Reds, per Mediaset Premium (via Goal's Stefan Coerts): "I want to stay at Milan. I do not want to return to Liverpool. I was never happy at Liverpool. Plus Milan have the money. I am finally starting to feel better again. I have been in fine shape physically for two or three weeks and my performances on the pitch have been proof of it."

The 25-year-old has been told by new Milan manager Cristian Brocchi he has to prove his worth in the last few matches of the season or he will not remain at the San Siro.

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Balotelli has hardly been vital to the Italian giants so far this season, scoring just once in 17 league appearances in an injury-hit campaign, per WhoScored.com.

Liverpool are reportedly "keen" to be rid of Balotelli and his £90,000-a-week wages, but Brocchi said he has to prove himself in the final five games of the Serie A season if he is to move back to the club permanently, per MailOnline's Alex Bywater:

"

If a player thinks he can decide the match by himself, that's not right. 

I found Mario very eager and he promised me he'll give his all in these last few games.

In the past he knew full well he'd be given other chances, but now he realises there are no more chances. The hope is he can use these last matches to show his quality.

It's important for me that he shows he truly cares about the Milan jersey. As a coach I always focused on mentality, because even the most talented players have to be strong mentally.

"

Liverpool are currently well set in the strike department with Daniel Sturridge's fitness concerns easing, Roberto Firmino enjoying a decent debut season with the Reds and Divock Origi improving with every game—Bleacher Report's Dean Jones believes the Belgian could become the No. 1 forward at Anfield next season:

Danny Ings should also be back in action next season after missing most of the current campaign through injury, and £32.5 million man Christian Benteke remains an option for manager Jurgen Klopp.

There is simply no need for Balotelli at Liverpool, especially after he returned just one goal in the Premier League during the 2014-15 campaign, per WhoScored.

And given Balotelli's recent revelation, it seems unlikely he will ever pull on a Reds shirt again.

However, Milan may not be prepared to take him permanently and, given his reputation as a troublemaker, there may not be many other suitors in the summer.

A move to the Chinese Super League has been mooted, with Jiangsu Suning reportedly interested in the Italian, per Il Milanista (via football writer Kristian Sturt):

For a player with such talent, Balotelli's career has been one of immense frustration, and the current campaign has proved no different.

He needs to settle at a club if he is ever going to make good on his potential, but both Liverpool and Milan may not want him come the end of the season.