Chelsea are weighing up a shock loan deal to sign Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli. The Italian has been told that he can leave Anfield before the end of the transfer window.

Balotelli has had a miserable time at Anfield since his move back to England from AC Milan in 2013 and is now ready to quit Liverpool in search of a new opportunity. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is confident that he can help Balotelli find the form that made the Italian one of the Premier League's best strikers during a spell at Man City. Mourinho is currently discussing a fee with Liverpool for the loan transfer of Balotelli that is expected to be completed by the end of August.