Liverpool fans are looking up with interest here in the Football Transfer Tavern and that is all down to the Daily Express who seem to think that Mario Balotelli is set to be offered another exit route out of Anfield.

Sampdoria are the latest side to be linked with the 24-year-old forward and despite the club’s lowly reputation compared with certain sides in Serie A, they have nothing but love for the maverick forward and seem to be pretty keen on landing him.

Samp owner Massimo Ferrero claimed: “Mario was massacred by the media and people and didn’t have anyone to protect him,

“He needs some humility and if he decides to come to a lesser team like Sampdoria he would return to playing well.”

As our regulars note, Balotelli is certainly not playing well at the minute but Liverpool are in dire need of a new forward and would have to replace Balotelli if they did sell him this winter.The Reds would be looking to recoup all of their initial £16 million outlay on the player before entertaining any offers.