Liverpool are hoping the recent outlay by Chinese Super Club teams could extend as far as a big splash on Anfield flop Mario Balotelli.
The Italian striker, currently on loan at AC Milan, failed to work his way into Brendan Rodgers' plan and has become even more of a peripheral figure under Klopp with little chance of redemption.
Liverpool, still reeling after losing out on Alex Teixeira to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning, have begun sounding out possible destinations for Balotelli in an effort to recoup some of the £16 million he cost the club in 2014.
They are currently subsidising much of the £80,000 a week the striker earns while playing for another club and any deal, provided it is permanent, at this stage would be seen as an improvement on the situation.
Balotelli has been under increasing pressure at Milan with head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic insisting, “Those who don’t sacrifice themselves for the team to the 94th minute will no longer set foot on the field,
"This came after a 2-1 win over Genoa with Mihajlovic admitting after that, “It wasn’t just Balotelli – there were another two or three as well as him. They know who I’m talking about.”
Balotelli's agent Mina Raiola countered, however, stating “There are no difficulties at Milan for Mario.”
The 25-year-old is under contract until 2017 with Liverpool with the club holding the option to further that deal for another year. That seems unlikely and it is now a race against time to shift the player with the Chinese transfer market closing at the end of the month.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
