Saturday’s biggest stories for the Reds…
Napoli willing to offer a ‘major’ transfer fee for Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli
Rafael Benitez has stepped up his interest in struggling striker Balotelli and wants to bring him back to Italy in January, according to the Metro.
Initial reports suggested the Naples club would offer around £10m for the 24-year-old’s services, but are willing to up that fee in order to land their man. Benitez is keen to partner Balotelli in attack with Argentina international Gonzalo Higuain.
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Schalke 04 holds talks with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar amid interest from the Premier League
Schalke general manager Horst Heldth has confirmed that negotiations have started with Huntelaar over a new deal as interest from Arsenal and the Reds grows.
The 31-year-old is in the final year of his current contract with the Bundesliga club and would be available to agree a deal with foreign clubs in January as a result.
“I am able to confirm a chat with Huntelaar. It was a good conversation. Both parties have signalled a basic interest in a new agreement to carry on together in the future,” Heldth was quoted by the Mirror.
Contract talks open with captain Steven Gerrard
After admitting he may leave Anfield next summer if he isn’t offered a new deal the Merseysiders are preparing an offer for the 34-year-old, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Gerrard is in the final year of his current contract with the club and has said he will carry on playing next season whether with his boyhood side or not.
The midfielder broke into the first team back in 1997 and over the years has turned down several lucrative moves in order to stay.
Pictures emerge from the inside of Balotelli’s house after infamous firework incident in 2011
Images have been published of the Italy international’s house following fireworks being set off in the bathroom by friends of the forward.
Whilst with Manchester City, Balotelli made the newspapers for all the wrong reasons when the fire brigade had to be called to his home.
The damage was certainly significant, as can be seen in these pictures.
Adam Lallana has car damaged by monkeys at safari park
On a visit to Knowsley safari park on Merseyside the £25m summer signing had his car torn to pieces by a group of monkeys.
Lallana was visiting the park with his son as he continues to settle in at his new club after his move from boyhood club Southampton.
“I went to Knowsley Safari Park with my little boy recently and ended up coming back with bits of the car missing from going into the monkey bit, so I won’t be going back there in a rush,” the 26-year-old was quoted by the Daily Star.
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