It is understood that talks between Liverpool and representatives of Mario Balotelli are progressing well today - however it is unlikely the deal will be concluded in time to have the striker available to play Manchester City on Monday.

A fee of £16m has been agreed between the Reds and AC Milan - with just personal terms to overcome.

Liverpool are understood to be ready to offer the former Manchester City striker a £90,000-a-week, five-year deal - however it is understood the Merseyside club are also seeking assurances over Balotelli's behaviour.

Talks are understood to have been held yesterday over the proposed contract and are continuing today.

If Balotelli is to be available to play against his former side on Monday night he must be registered by midday today - a time-frame that looks to be coming just a little too soon.

It is more likely that he will be available for Liverpool's game after that - against Tottenham next Sunday.

Balotelli is believed to still be in Italy despite the quick progress of the transfer and even though he said his goodbyes to team-mates and staff at AC Milan's training ground yesterday.

Source: The Independent