Besiktas refutes reported interest in Balotelli

To see a list of completed deals in the summer window thus far, visit theScore's Premier League transfer tracker.

Besiktas moved swiftly Wednesday to deny any links with Mario Balotelli, denouncing claims that club president Fikret Orman had invited the problematic striker to play for the Super Lig champion.

Turkish outlet Fanatik published quotes attributed to Orman suggesting Balotelli had been receptive to a move to Istanbul. It seemed to add credence to an initial report in June in which the Italian's agent, Mino Raiola, said he was "quite sure" of securing a deal with Besiktas.

"Mario Balotelli is the type of footballer that our fans can associate themselves with. I'm pretty sure he would attract great attention," Orman supposedly told Fanatik, according to Press Association Sport. "To be fair, if he wasn't deemed as a troublemaker, he wouldn't be rumoured to be joining us.

"But we can show some effort and create solutions for Balotelli's infamous troubles. I think he can change with the attention and care he'll receive in Turkey.

"In short, we want Mario Balotelli, and he wants us too."

However, Besiktas said in a statement that these remarks are completely "unfounded."

It means there's one less suitor for a player with diminishing returns. The presidents of Sampdoria and newly promoted Serie A outfit Crotone have publicly extended lifelines to Balotelli, but nothing more.

The 25-year-old Italian returned to Liverpool this summer following a disappointing season-long loan at AC Milan. Left off Liverpool's squad for its U.S. tour, Balotelli has instead been training with the reserves at the club's Melwood facility.

Manager Jurgen Klopp told the former Manchester City man to find a new team earlier this month. Klopp raved about Balotelli's "world-class" work ethic in training, but in the end he leveled with the player.

There's just not enough of a chance for Balotelli to succeed with Reds, considering the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings, and Divock Origi are all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Related: Liverpool's Klopp urges Balotelli to relaunch career at new club