Liverpool Transfer News: Mamadou Sakho Bid Refused, Mario Balotelli Swap Rumours

Just over two weeks of the transfer window remain and Liverpool are fighting off interest in Mamadou Sakho after Roma made a lunge for his services, while Mario Balotelli has been offered to Lazio in a player-plus-cash deal.

According to Kristian Walsh of the Liverpool Echo, Sakho was subject of a season-long loan bid from the Giallorossi after failing to make Brendan Rodgers' squad for their Premier League opening victory over Stoke City.

There has been much indecision over the Reds' first-choice partnership in central defence, but it now seems Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren will remain Rodgers' primary options.

The Liverpool Echo's James Pearce outlines just how close the competition currently is and insists Rodgers will keep the faith in Lovren following a successful display against the Potters:

With Kolo Toure the only other established centre-back option at the club, it would be surprising to see Sakho leave Anfield on a temporary deal that doesn't stand to benefit the Reds in any way.

Furthermore, French outlet Foot Mercato (via talkSPORT) reports Roma weren't looking to pay any fee up front, nor are they hoping to include any option to buy in the prospective deal—hardly appetising for his parent club.

Sakho has suffered several injury setbacks since moving to Merseyside from Paris Saint-Germain in 2013, but he remains a talented defender when fully fit and is an established member of the France national team.

Unless Rudi Garcia's side significantly improve their offer for the defender, Liverpool are likely to be holding on to Sakho this season in the hopes he can reclaim his spot in their starting XI.

Balotelli Swap Offer for Keita Balde Diao

In the latest bid to relieve themselves of some dead weight, Liverpool are reported to have offered Balotelli or Fabio Borini to Lazio to help fund their pursuit of wing talent Keita Balde Diao.

That's according to Italian newspaper Il Tempo (via Liverpool Echo's Walsh), who writes the Italian pair have been named as potential movers in a bid to sweeten the deal for Lazio.

The Mirror's David Maddock previously reported that Lazio would consider taking Balotelli this summer, but only if they beat Bayer Leverkusen to qualify for the Champions League—and only on temporary terms.

It's not the deal Liverpool may be seeking, but their case is helped by news that Keita has handed in a transfer request, according to Football Italia:

Balotelli has only been at Liverpool for a year and yet the Italy international is almost a forgotten figure after scoring just a single goal in 16 Premier League outings last season.

Rodgers hinted at there being departures from the club in the weeks to come, too, per the Liverpool Echo's Andy Kelly:

I think it’s natural at this stage of the season, there will be moves I’m sure for some players. 

What’s clear is that every player has the understanding of exactly where they stand within the squad. The spirit is strong, it’s fine but of course it's a difficult situation because of the transfer market and it’s still open until the end of this month.

There’s always going to be that speculation but I’m sure there will be some movement, obviously, of some of the players that want to play.

On the other hand, 20-year-old Keita is just at the very beginning of his career and impressed enough to make 29 first-team appearances for the Eagles in 2014-15.

Liverpool are yet to sign a natural winger replacement since Raheem Sterling left for Manchester City, but Keita could be seen as the ideal target to make the best out of Balotelli's miserable predicament.