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Last season, with Daniel Sturridge mostly on the sidelines, Liverpool’s striker depth chart consisted of Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli, and Fabio Borini. None managed to be particularly effective in Sturridge’s absence, and in short order it became clear none were especially favoured by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.
Lambert has already gone, making the switch to Tony Pulis’ West Brom for £3M. Balotelli and Borini, though, remain. At least for the time being. But if rumours in Italy are to be believed, Fabio Borini’s time in purgatory at Anfield could be coming to an end, with reports that Fiorentina, last season’s fourth-place finishers, want the 24-year-old striker.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, they’re even willing to pay £5M for him, or about half the £10.5M the Reds paid back in 2012 to bring him back to England. It may not be the windfall that was on the table last summer as Sunderland and QPR competed for his signature, but if true, it’s hardly a fee to be dismissive of for such a clear spare part.
With Liverpool desperate to sell, and everyone aware they’re desperate to sell, it’s a buyers market for both Borini and compatriot Balotelli. As such, it’s hard to see the club passing on a £5M offer from Fiorentina. The only questions are whether the reports of said offer reflect reality. And whether Borini will be willing to leave even if they do.
Borini has so far turned down every club that’s come his way, from Sunderland and QPR last year to West Ham this summer in England plus a handful of Italian sides. Fiorentina, though, are a solid top half side in Serie A who can promise European football and, by Italian standards, a decent wage. They’re probably the best side that has come sniffing around.
Hopefully, then, that will mean a deal can be done in relatively short order. Though given the history of Liverpool’s attempts to offload Borini, you might not want to bet on it.
