Mario Balotelli to return to Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp begins preparations for new season

Italian striker Mario Balotelli will return to Liverpool for pre-season training this weekend as a transfer away from the club has still to be agreed. The 25-year-old striker joined the Premier League giants in 2014, but after an underwhelming campaign, Balotelli was farmed out on loan to AC Milan.

However, the controversial star failed to sparkle while in Serie A and Milan rejected the chance to sign Balotelli on a permanent deal. Since then, Balotelli has been linked with various teams around Europe, but no deal has come to fruition thus far.

His agent, Mino Raiola, is actively looking to find a new club for the Italy international, who does not feature in Reds boss Jurgen Klopp's long-term plans. But as he is still officially a Liverpool player, Balotelli will return to the club's training ground this weekend as he begins his preparations for the new campaign, according to ESPN.

Balotelli is one of a number of first-team players who could leave Liverpool in the comings weeks as Klopp oversees a squad rebuild. Defender Martin Skrtel is expected to complete a £5m ($6.6m) move to Fenerbahce in the coming days, while Kolo Toure has already left Liverpool.

Elsewhere, Liverpool recently agreed terms with Watford for Jerome Sinclair to leave the club this summer. The 19-year-old striker became Liverpool's youngest player aged just 16 years and six days when he played in the League Cup in 2012.