Lazio are continuing to explore the possibility of signing Mario Balotelli on loan from Liverpool, but would only be looking to pay a portion of his wages.
Balotelli was signed by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers for £16m last summer, becoming part of a £100m summer spending spree launched by the Northern Irishman, but which failed to stop the Reds slipping from second to sixth in the Premier League.
Rodgers left Balotelli out of Liverpool's pre-season tour, while he has just been omitted from their trip to Finland to play HJK Helsinki this weekend.
Lazio have spoken to Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola about the possibility of signing the striker on loan.
But according to Italian daily Tuttosport, they would only be looking to pay a portion of the Italy international's salary, such is its size.
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Indeed, Balotelli's pay packet has already seen Sampdoria drop out of the race, with the club's president claiming that the striker earns €10m per season at Anfield.
Lazio would be able to offer Balotelli the opportunity to play Champions League and also seek to return to the Italy national team fold by impressing Azzurri coach Antonio Conte on home soil.
