Sampdoria president Massimo Ferraro has confirmed that he has talked to Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli regarding a move to the Italian club:
Ferraro says that he would like the 25 year old back in Serie A next season but much will depend on the player. He was quoted by Italian website tuttomercatoweb.com as saying:
“I told him to come to us, the problem is that Balotelli’s main enemy is himself. It’s a bit like [Sampdoria forward Antonio] Cassano.”
Balotelli returned to preseason training with Liverpool on Saturday after AC Milan declined to keep the Italian international for a second season. The player himself is keen to prove himself and say he wants to become a Ballon d’Or winner one day even though he knows he will be mocked for saying so. His manager Jurgen Klopp is keen to see the player in training and gain fitness, but it is unlikely that his return to the Reds is anything other than temporary.
Sampdoria could be a potential destination but wages would be an inevitable stumbling block with any loan move. Liverpool are likely to want to sell the striker but China may be the only destination that would be prepared to take him. For his part, it is believed Balotelli prefers to stay in European football.
