Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert edge towards Liverpool exit following striker overhaul

Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert are edging closer to a Liverpool exit following the signing of Christian Benteke.

On 22 July, the Reds confirmed the arrival of Belgium international Benteke having met his release clause of £32.5m ($50.7m), according to BBC Sport.

He joins Danny Ings and Divock Origi as Brendan Rodgers' new wave of forwards, with the manager seeking to address the club's woeful return in front of goal last season that contributed to their dismal sixth place finish.

Their arrivals on Merseyside will signal the end for Lambert and Borini, who managed just four goals between them in all competitions last year.

Borini, 24, was told at the end of last season he would no longer be needed at the club, according to the Liverpool Echo, and his agent is eager to secure his client a move back to Italy.

"Yes, we have spoken to Fiorentina, but are evaluating everything carefully," Borini's representative Marco de Marchi told Radio Blu.

"Fabio will decide also based on Liverpool's needs. We are looking for an important project in Italy or elsewhere, but for the moment he does not have a preference."

Liverpool accepted an offer from Sunderland last summer only for Borini to reject the chance to return to Wearside after a season on loan there in the 2013-14 campaign.

Lambert, meanwhile, has been in talks with West Bromwich Albion and could conclude a move to the Hawthorns next week, according to the Birmingham Mail.

Lambert finalised the move to his boyhood club last summer from Southampton but failed to deliver any real impact at Anfield.

While he is in contention to face a Malaysian Select XI as part of Liverpool's pre-season tour on 24 July, it is claimed West Brom have already held positive conversations with the player.

Mario Balotelli's future at the club is also under threat after an uninspiring return to the Premier League last season. However, the club face the difficult prospect of finding a buyer for the Italy international due to his reported wages of £100,000 a week.

The ex-Manchester City striker was left out of the club's travelling squad for their trip to Australia and the Far East, a strong indication of where he lies in Rodgers' list of priorities.

When asked whether the player would still be at the club by the time the transfer window closes, Rodgers told a press conference: "I am not sure, that will entirely be up to Mario," BBC Sport reported.

"He is working hard to get fit and we will see when the season begins."