Besiktas reject Mario Balotelli transfer claims

Besiktas have denied reports that claim they want to sign Mario Balotelli.

The striker’s agent Mino Raiola had been quoted as saying that he had offered his client to the Turkish outfit and that they were keen to do business but Besiktas sporting director Erdal Torunogullari says a deal isn’t going to happen.

He said: “We know Raiola well. He’s even said Balotelli will go to Besiktas, but it’s not like that. We’re not interested, our priority is to hold on to Mario Gomez.

“This month will be decisive, everything depends on him [Gomez].

“Only then will we decide what to do.”

Reds boss Jürgen Klopp doesn’t want to retain him and club officials were hoping they could cash in by selling him to China. However, little interest has been shown in the 25-year-old. Liverpool expect clubs to try it on later in the window when they think we will be desperate to accept anything just to get rid.