Saturday, 23rd August, 2014
The agent of Mario Balotelli has explained that negotiations for the striker to move to Liverpool have been taking place for three months and the development is not a knee-jerk reaction on the part of the English club.
Liverpool have had a €20m bid accepted by AC Milan for Balotelli, who has now arrived in England with Raiola to complete a medical at the English side's training base and then put pen to paper on a five-year contract.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was asked about the possibility of Balotelli signing for Liverpool during the club's pre-season tour of the United States and replied: "I can categorically tell you, Mario Balotelli won't be at Liverpool."
But Raiola says talks have been taking place for three months and has praised the English side for their conduct throughout.
"It is not true that I asked Liverpool for an exaggerated percentage", Raiola told Corriere della Sera.
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"There is a negotiation with the English which is very smooth and based on the content.
"It has been going on for three months. It is not a scoop.
"Liverpool have always been the only team that I have dealt with for Mario in England."
Raiola also dismissed claims that Balotelli will have a special contract at Anfield with specific clauses about his conduct.
"Mario will not have a contract that is different from other players at Liverpool. He must comply with the code of conduct of the club like everybody else."
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