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Liverpool are hoping to off-load unwanted striker Mario Balotelli to French club Nice.

The Italy international wasn’t at Melwood today after being granted permission to hold talks with the Ligue One outfit.

Liverpool have yet to agree a fee with Nice but discussions have taken place between the clubs over a potential deal.

If Balotelli accepts the opportunity to join Lucien Favre’s squad then the Reds are confident an agreement can swiftly be reached.

Favre said: “I don’t know him personally, but if he runs and wants to help the youngsters, then why not?

“If he doesn’t want to run, then there’s no way he’ll come here.”

Nice, who finished fourth in Ligue One last season, were bought out by a group of Chinese and American investors earlier this summer.

They have been seeking a big signing to lift the club’s profile and believe Balotelli fits the bill.

Liverpool have been desperate to get the striker off the wage bill with agent Mino Raiola touting him around Europe in recent months.

Talks have also taken place with FC Sion but Nice are now the front-runners to sign Balotelli, who recently entered the final year of his contract at Anfield.