• Italy striker is surplus to requirements at Anfield • I’ve tried to tell him to come to Samp, says club president

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The Sampdoria president, Massimo Ferrero, has offered the Liverpool misfit Mario Balotelli an escape route from Anfield.

The 33-times Italy international spent last season on loan at Milan but returned to pre-season training with the Reds at the weekend after the Rossoneri opted against making his stay permanent.

Mario Balotelli: I was not happy at Liverpool and do not want to return Read more

Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, has been trying to find a suitable destination for his 25-year-old client, who is surplus to requirements for Jürgen Klopp at Anfield, and despite links with China and Turkey a return to his home country could be the most likely get-out.

“Balotelli is Balotelli’s own worst enemy,” Ferrero told Il Corriere dello Sport. “Just like [the controversial Samp striker Antonio] Cassano is Cassano’s own worst enemy.

“He’s a great player who’s stuck back in the 1960s, stuck in the days of Sapore di Sale [a classic Italian song about relaxing on the beach]. He could relaunch [his career] at a passionate club like ours, but I think he’s still got mixed feelings. I’ve tried to tell him to come to Samp because he’s a great talent.”