Mario Balotelli to return to Liverpool after AC Milan turn down permanent deal – reports

Mario Balotelli is expected to return to Liverpool at the end of the season, according to reports in Italy.

The striker returned to AC Milan in a season-long loan deal in the summer, but the Serie A club have decided NOT to make his stay permanent when his loan expires.

Balotelli has failed to make a telling impact at the San Siro this season, with a hernia operation keeping him on the sidelines for much of the campaign.

Injury has restricted the 25-year-old to just ten appearances, scoring two goals, and Italian newspaper Tuttosport claim Milan have already made the decision not to offer the Italy international a full-time stay.

It is claimed Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has instead set his sights on Genoa forward Leonardo Pavoletti as an alternative.

It means the former Manchester City frontman will either have to force his way into Jurgen Klopp's plans at Anfield or move on again.