Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren has reportedly refused the chance to sign Mario Balotelli from Liverpool.
The 24-year-old looks set to leave Anfield after just one season with Brendan Rodgers having already signed Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino, leaving Balotelli’s future even more unclear.
Now, according to the Daily Star, Liverpool offered Newcastle the services of Balotelli, but McClaren rejected the chance as he would rather move for Marseille’s 22-year-old Frenchman, Florian Thauvin.
The former AC Milan striker has been linked with Serie A side Sampdoria, as well as Besiktas in Turkey, with Liverpool keen to remove the player from their books.
Balotelli scored just one goal in 16 Premier League outings last season.
