Mario Balotelli is considering whether to make the loan move to Swiss Super League side FC Sion, their chairman claimed on Wednesday.
The Italian striker has struggled to find a new club this summer, despite reported interest from a host of Serie A sides, Turkish giants Besiktas and even Premier League duo Everton and Manchester United being linked this week.
But Balotelli has now seemingly been offered a concrete move as the transfer window reaches its conclusion.
Sion are reported to have offered Liverpool a loan deal, in the hope that they can secure Balotelli’s services as his options dwindle.
Club chairman Christian Constantin confirmed talks between the two clubs, telling Tocino News that these were “progressing.”
“I can confirm we’re discussing about a possible loan of Balotelli,” he said.
“We’re progressing but I can’t say yet if the transfer will be successful or not.”
Another loan move for Balotelli will not be the ideal solution for the Reds, with the 26-year-old’s value decreasing by the season, particularly following back-to-back failures in 2014/15 and 2015/16.
The former Manchester City talent scored just seven goals in 51 games for Liverpool and AC Milan over those two campaigns, representing a paltry return on his potential.
Moving to Sion could prove to be a last-ditch attempt for Balotelli to restore his reputation, having lacked the application to do so with City, Liverpool and Milan, and he would likely shine in the Super League.
It is a deal that could go down to the wire this summer, with Switzerland unlikely to be Balotelli’s dream destination.
But, under the guidance of the faithful Mino Raiola, Balotelli may be forced to acknowledge his lowly standing in 2016.
He certainly won’t have a place in Jurgen Klopp‘s Liverpool squad if he remained on Merseyside beyond August 31, with Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings all ahead of him in the German’s pecking order in attack.
Klopp has already managed to shift another surplus striker this summer in Christian Benteke, but finding a new club for Balotelli would be a more impressive achievement.
Liverpool will be hoping for a permanent deal, but may need to accept Sion’s loan offer to rid themselves of Balotelli’s reported £90,000-a-week wages.
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