AC Milan's Mario Balotelli in action against Liverpool during the International Champions Cup Group B match at the Bank of America Stadium on day thirteen of the club's USA Tour. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Reports: AC Milan have “opened talks” with Liverpool over Mario Balotelli loan

Mario Balotelli could be set for a return to former side AC Milan, if reports are to be believed, with a loan move to Serie A rumoured.

CHARLOTTE, USA - Saturday, August 2, 2014: AC Milan's Mario Balotelli in action against Liverpool during the International Champions Cup Group B match at the Bank of America Stadium on day thirteen of the club's USA Tour. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Just one year after joining Liverpool from AC Milan, Mario Balotelli could rejoin the Serie A giants on loan.

That is according to reports from Simon Jones of the Mail.

Jones claims that “Milan have opened talks about a return for Liverpool misfit Mario Balotelli.

“The Italians sold Balotelli a year ago for £16 million and are discussing taking him back on a subsidised loan.”

Jones writes that Balotelli flew from Manchester to Verona on Saturday night, meeting Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic ahead of their clash with Fiorentina on Sunday.

Given the striker’s tattered reputation following the breakdown of his position on Merseyside, Balotelli’s potential move to Milan is said to be a “subsidised loan,” suggesting Liverpool will pay a considerable portion of his wages.

“Sampdoria have shown interest in a similar type deal as have Lazio while Bologna, Fiorentina and Sevilla have held tentative discussions,” Jones continues.

“Balotelli did not leave Milan on the best terms with president Silvio Berlusconi calling him ‘a bad apple’.

“Yet Balotelli had a good record at Milan and has always confessed to being a Milan supporter.

“They view him as an alternative option to Zlatan Ibrahimovic whose potential transfer from Paris Saint-Germain is proving beyond their current budget.”

Failing to sign Ibrahimovic and instead targeting Balotelli is eerily reminiscent of Liverpool transfer situation last summer.

Brendan Rodgers’ centre-forward targets moved from Alexis Sanchez to Wilfried Bony to Loic Remy to a choice between free agent Samuel Eto’o and Balotelli.

Rodgers described signing Balotelli as a “calculated risk,” but one which at the time promised a considerable potential reward.

The manager seemingly gave up with his quest to reform the maverick Balotelli midway through 2014/15.

The 25-year-old made just 16 Premier League appearances, scoring one goal.

A return to Milan would arguably suit the Palermo-born forward, who contributed 14 goals and six assists in just 30 Serie A games prior to his move to Anfield.

So the cycle continues. Why always him?