Report: Fee dispute blocking Balotelli move to Sassuolo

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Embattled Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli's fourth foray in Italian football has hit a snag, after reports surfaced Friday that a move to Serie A upstarts Sassuolo has hit a snag after the two sides dispute the fee for the 26-year-old.

According to Enzo Raiola, a member of Balotelli's ensemble of advisors and cousin of super-agent Mino Raiola, Sassuolo has expressed an interest in the 33-time capped international, but are unwilling to meet Liverpool's valuation of the player.

"It's true, Sassuolo have given it some thought," Raiola said, courtesy of Ben Gladwell from ESPN FC. "But we are light years away from agreeing on a fee. Liverpool are never going to accept certain figures, unless nothing else happens before Aug. 31."

In Jurgen Klopp's doghouse and behind a stacked group of attackers the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Sadio Mane, Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino, and Danny Ings, Balotelli has become surplus to requirements, prompting his mercurial loan spell last season at AC Milan.

With just one goal in 20 league appearances for Milan, eight as a starter, Balotelli has struggled to regain the form he displayed during a 14-goal campaign with the Rossoneri in 2013-14. Balotelli has two years left on his deal at Anfield after making the switch in 2014 for a £16-million fee.

Balotelli, who's celebrating his 26th birthday Friday, has become the object of desire for not only for sixth-placed Sassuolo, but also at Chievo, with Raiola conceding Liverpool's fee is a stumbling block for both sides.

"These are the two clubs in Italy who have made enquiries," Raiola said. "Mario wants to put himself back on centre-stage and feeling important again."

Sasuolo kicks off its season Thursday with the first leg of a Europa League playoff tilt against Red Star Belgrade at the Mapei Stadium.