Liverpool set to land NINTH summer signing after launching £17.5m bid for Mario Balotelli

MARIO BALOTELLI could be set for a return to the Premier League after reports from Italy indicated Liverpool are set to bid for the striker.The Reds have cash to burn following the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona earlier this summer.The Uruguayan bagged 31 Premier League goals last season as the Kop giants fell just short of winning a first title since 1990.And according to Italian media outlet Sportmediaset, ex-Manchester City frontman Balotelli is being lined up as his replacement, with a £17.5m bid is being readied.
Balotelli joined Milan from City in a £19m deal in January 2013.However, new San Siro boss Filipo Inzaghi is thought to be open to selling the enigmatic Italian, as he looks to freshen up his squad.The former Milan striker is thought to be keen on bringing Torino ace Alessio Cerci to the club, but needs to offload a player before he can finance a deal.Liverpool's bid for the player is understood to be structured as a season-long loan, with the option of making the move permanent in 12 months time. Arsenal were strongly linked with a move for Balotelli earlier this summer, however, talk of a move has since gone cold, with Arsene Wenger turning his focus to other targets.