Liverpool Transfer News: M'Baye Niang Scouted Amid Tottenham Talk, Fresh Rumours

AC Milan have reportedly turned down a swap deal involving Mario Balotelli and starlet M'Baye Niang, amid rumours both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are scouting the 21-year-old.

According to David Amoyal and Eddie Benedetti of Gianluca Di Marzio's website, the Reds and Spurs will watch the Frenchman in action in the Coppa Italia final against Juventus, a match in which the youngster will celebrate his return to the pitch after a lengthy absence due to injury.

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Niang was in the midst of a breakout season when he was involved in a car accident in February, tearing ligaments in his ankle, per Sky Sport Italia (via Football Italia).

As shared by Bleacher Report UK's Anthony Lopopolo, his absence weighed heavily on the Rossoneri:

The injury was a blow for Milan, but perhaps even more so for Niang. The former Caen man was finally making good on the promise he showed in France, discovering an eye for goal he had yet to display during his time at the San Siro.

Niang has always been known as an exceptional talent with tremendous physical gifts and dribbling ability, but his vision and football IQ lagged behind during his first few seasons with Milan.

The Rossoneri were patient with Niang, however, and their work with the youngster started paying off during the 2015-16 campaign. Here's a look at some of his highlights:

According to MailOnline's Simon Jones, Leicester City tried to sign Niang in January, while Liverpool offered to send Balotelli to Milan on a permanent deal in exchange for the speedster. The Rossoneri value the forward at £11 million, however, considerably more than Balotelli.

Per Jones, Balotelli has made it clear he does not want to return to Anfield, and the feeling is mutual. Bleacher Report UK's Karl Matchett hopes the Reds can make some kind of deal happen that would involve Niang moving the other way:

Spurs will also watch Niang against Juventus, per Jones, and his versatility makes the forward an intriguing fit at White Hart Lane. Tottenham don't need a pure striker, with Harry Kane proving himself a superb option up front, but Niang has the pace and trickery to split out wide or play as a second striker.

His fit at Anfield would be less clear, as Niang possesses many of the traits that make Divock Origi such an interesting talent. The Belgian is more polished and an even better athlete, and he'd likely sit ahead of Niang in the pecking order for the foreseeable future.

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But manager Jurgen Klopp has found much success working with athletic forwards, and he managed to turn Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from a solid wing prospect who failed to make the grade at Milan into one of the world's best strikers.

Niang could be a similar bargain-type signing who could pay huge dividends down the road, providing the Reds work with him. The Frenchman is still quite raw and prone to lapses in concentration.

Milan have moved backwards the last few seasons, and the appointment of manager Cristian Brocchi, who replaced Sinisa Mihajlovic, has not helped matters. 

There was also an incident after the 3-1 loss against AS Roma, as shared by beIN Sports' Tancredi Palmeri:

Those are reasons to believe Niang could be persuaded to leave the Rossoneri for a team that seems to be trending in the right direction, although it won't be easy convincing Milan to sell.

But as reported by Mike Ozanian of Forbes, the club is struggling financially, so for the right offer, just about any player not named Gianluigi Donnarumma could be available this summer. 

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