AC Milan's Balotelli arrives at Liverpool for medical to close deal
Mario Balotelli has arrived at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground as his £16million move to Anfield from AC Milan edges closer.
The flamboyant striker flew into Liverpool airport earlier on Monday morning where he was picked up in an official club car and driven to the Premier League side's training ground.
Balotelli’s management team and Liverpool chief executive Iain Ayre arrived at Melwood earlier in the day as they prepare for the 24-year-old to sign a contract with the club.
The Italy international is understood to have passed his medical and is expected to be officially unveiled as a Liverpool player later on Monday.
Balotelli’s return to the Premier League will not be in time for him to make his debut against former club Manchester City, but he is expected to be at the Etihad for the Premier League match, live on Sky Sports 1HD.
Former Reds manager Graeme Souness has raised concerns about the club's decision to recruit the controversial forward, whose discipline was questioned during his stay with City.
However, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers refused to be drawn on whether the club wanted a behaviour clause included in Balotelli’s contract.
"I think every player has a code of conduct for the people and the professionals at work," said Rodgers on Friday. "We have quite an extensive code for players and staff. We haven’t got a specific one for anyone individually. It covers across the professional group of people here both staff and players.
"We have a fantastic environment and a great culture. I think over the last two years it was very important for us to build here. There will be nothing that will ever shake that or to provoke it in anyway. That is something I will always protect. The environment here is fantastic.
"We’ve got a real learning environment here for players. And you can see over the years that lots of players have improved and developed."
