Liverpool's Mario Balotelli Wanted By Second Champions League Club

The pursuit for Liverpool’s forgotten man, Mario Balotelli, appears to be intensifying this week as a second Champions League club has reportedly registered their interest in the Italian, according to GiveMeSport.

Having been told by Jurgen Klopp at the beginning of July that he could find another club, the striker has already drawn interest from Besiktas.

Now, though, according to multiple reports, Dutch side Ajax are the latest team to test the waters and, per the Daily Mail, they’ve already been in contact with Balotelli’s agent about a potential move.

According to the Mail:

“Preliminary talks have taken place between Ajax’s hierarchy and Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola to gauge how keen he would be on moving to Holland.”

Raiola, of course, is also the agent of top Manchester United target Paul Pogba, so is likely to have been pretty busy over the past few weeks.

If the Juventus star does, as many expect, finally move to Old Trafford this week, however, it would likely free up Raiola to focus on Balotelli.

Considering Liverpool are desperate to get the much-maligned striker off their books, that couldn’t come soon enough.

Ajax’s enquiry, meanwhile, has also come at the ideal time. That’s because Besiktas’ apparent interest appears to be waning after their coach, Sanel Gunes, categorically denied any interest in bringing Balotelli to the Turkish club.

“Balotelli not part of my plans. I don’t have favourable opinion of him. I’ve never heard anything positive about him,” he said, via Sky Sports reporter Kavel Solhelkol.

While Ajax are yet to officially approach Liverpool, their tentative discussions with Balotelli suggest that there could yet be a way out of Anfield for the 25-year-old.

One issue that could arise is the fact that the Dutch giants don’t pay any of their players over £40,000-per-week. Balotelli’s Liverpool deal is worth a reported £90,000-per-week.

However, again per the Mail, it is though the Italian international is prepared to take a hit on his wages in order to find a new team.