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Rumoured interest from Besitkas in a move for unwanted Liverpool striker has been firmly rejected by their coach.

Senol Gunes pulled no punches over suggestions that the Turkisk Super Lig outfit could offer a home to the Italian after Jurgen Klopp told him he needed to leave Anfield.

The 25-year-old has also been linked with a move to Ajax and Besiktas chairman Fikret Ormanhad had suggested last week that both parties were keen on the deal.

Not so, according to Gunes though - and he was pretty blunt about it.

“There were also rumours about Aleksandar Kolarov but he wasn’t in my plans,” he said.

“Balotelli isn’t in my plans either. I don’t have a favourable view of Mario Balotelli. I have never expressed a positive insight on him.”

Balotelli’s high wages are understood to be a stumbling block for many clubs who could potentially be interested in taking him, either on a permanent deal or on loan.

He failed to impress on his return to AC Milan last season, netting just three times, though Klopp believes the talent is still there.

Speaking about the Italian earlier this month, he said: “We want him to become the player he was before his injury and that – and the talent is still there, there’s no doubt about it.

“When we have done the crossing, heading and stuff he’s been world class.

“But this is not a situation where he should be battling with other players like this for one position, so it’s clear we need a solution.

“There will be a club around who would be happy to have new Mario Balotelli if you like.”

Balotelli, who trained with the Liverpool U21s last week, today posted pictures of himself on a boat apparently off the coast of the picturesque Italian Camogli near Genoa.

Genoa-based Sampdoria were another team said to be interested in a move for the striker this summer.