Ballotelli to have medical at Nice

Liverpool’s outcast Italian striker Mario Balotelli was to have a medical at French side Nice on Wednesday amid transfer deadline day talks between the clubs, l’Equipe newspaper reported.

The 26-year-old could be sold or loaned to Nice, the report said. Once one of the biggest hopes in Europe, Balotelli has not played for Italy since the 2014 World Cup and has been told he is not wanted by Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp.

A Nice official told l’Equipe no agreement had been reached and that the medical was “to save time” if an accord could be found.

“If the situation works out, maybe late in the day, it will be done. If we don’t agree with Liverpool, he will leave again,” the official added.

Nice want a permanent transfer but a loan was also possible, the club official was quoted as saying. Balotelli spent last season on loan at AC Milan but the Italian side chose not to extend the deal.