Liverpool are looking to sell the Italy striker this summer
AC Milan boss Cristian Brocchi has given striker Mario Balotelli his final warning at the San Siro, with the 25-year-old looking to make his loan move permanent.
Balotelli has managed just three goals for Milan this season, in 18 appearances, as Milan currently sit sixth in the table, with Siniša Mihajlović sacked as boss early last week.
And Brocchi, who was capped once for Italy, insists there is no room for error as Balotelli looks for a return to his native Italy.
“In the past he knew full well he’d be given other chances, but now he realises there are no more chances. The hope is that he can use these last matches to show his quality.
“It’s important for me that he shows he truly cares about the Milan jersey. As a Coach I always focused on mentality, because even the most talented players have to be strong mentally.”
Re-find old form
Brocchi is hoping the Italian can find the form that helped him rise to become one of Europe’s best young strikers, for a period, during his days with Inter Milan and later Manchester City.
He netted a personal record of 13 league goals for City, at the time, during his second season at the Etihad – as they went on to win their first Premier League title – before his current best league goals record of 14 for AC Milan, during his second season with the Italians.
It has been a sad tale for the 25-year-old, who has shown so much promise and ability at times, but his attitude has let him down, as Liverpool look set to struggle to offload the Italian, who they bought for £16 million in 2014.