Sampdoria are prepared to sign Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli in the summer, according to the Italian club’s president.

Balotelli was signed by Brendan Rodgers for £16m from AC Milan last summer, but the 24-year-old forward has turned out to be a massive disappointment for the Reds.

He has found the back of the net only four times in all competitions and has been linked with a return to Serie A in the summer.

Napoli and Juventus have ruled out a move for the Italian international, but Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has expressed his desire to bring the forward back to his home country.

Ferrero told to La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I would take him — he’d be the real Balotelli again here. He wouldn’t have too much pressure here in Genoa.”

Sampdoria would not be able to match the wages Balotelli earns (£100,000 per week) at Liverpool but Ferrero believes it could be a good thing for the forward.  

He added: “He’s lost his hunger. He’s earning too much. If he was only on bread and water, he’d be a champion again.”

Liverpool should sell him in the summer if Sampdoria put in a good offer on the table. He has appeared only once in Liverpool’s last seven games, and has failed to convince Rodgers of his long term worth.

Balotelli might be an extremely talented footballer but has rarely delivered for Liverpool and it will be good for him if he leaves the club and start playing regularly elsewhere.