Besiktas are planning to give an escape route to Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli after the Turkish club's president Fikret Orman confirmed his side's interest in signing the Italian in the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old was signed for the Reds by their former manager Brendan Rodgers from AC Milan in the summer of 2014.
However, after a poor show in his first season at Anfield, the Northern Irishman allowed him to rejoin the San Siro outfit on a season-long loan. When Balotelli was on loan at Milan, there was a change in stewardship at Liverpool as Rodgers was replaced with Jurgen Klopp.
On his return to the Merseyside club, the Italian international found out that he has no future at the club and is now set for a summer exit. Besiktas are hoping to lure the former Manchester City star in order to strengthen their strike force for the next season.
"Mario Balotelli is the type of footballer that our fans can associate themselves with. I'm pretty sure he would attract great attention," Orman was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
"To be fair, if he wasn't deemed as a trouble-maker, he wouldn't be rumoured to be joining us.
"But we can show some effort and create solutions for Balotelli's infamous troubles. I think he can change with the attention and care he'll receive in Turkey. In short, we want Mario Balotelli and he wants us too", he added.
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Meanwhile, Klopp has also confirmed that Balotelli will not be included in his plans for the 2016-17 season at Liverpool. The German coach even confirmed that he has already held talks with the attacker, who could be sold this summer.
“I have spoken to him about this. He’s not at the stage of his career where he should be battling with four or five other players for one or two positions,” Klopp said.
“We want him to become the player he was before his injury – the talent is still there, there’s no doubt about it. When we have done the crossing, heading and stuff he’s been world class.
“But this is not a situation where he should be battling with other players like this for one position, so it’s clear we need a solution. There will be a club around who would be happy to have new Mario Balotelli. I have spoken clearly to the player about that.
“In this case it’s obvious. It’s now time to make decisions and I try to help Mario to get in the best shape he can be in and we will see what happens.”
