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Transfer news: AC Milan eye Fernando Torres, Javier Hernandez or Roberto Soldado to replace Liverpool-bound Mario Balotelli

Serie A giants could make moves for Premier League stars after Mario exit

Saturday 23 August 2014 14:46 BST

Roberto Soldado celebrates his goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Cardiff City (GETTY IMAGES)

AC Milan are reportedly targeting one of Premier League trio Fernando Torres, Javier Hernandez or Roberto Soldado as Mario Balotelli's £16m switch to Liverpool nears completion.

According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the Italian giants have drawn up a shortlist of six players who could replace 'Super Mario' should his prospective move to Anfield be wrapped up.

Joining the three Premier League stars thought to be on the list, Jackson Martinez, Mattia Destro and Luis Muriel could also be subject to offers in the coming weeks.

Torres, now third in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge after Diego Costa and Didier Drogba arrived this summer, is unlikely to leave the London club after Blues boss Jose Mourinho announced himself happy with his current squad.

The beleaguered Spaniard was left out of the eighteen man squad to play Leicester City this weekend.

Manchester United would also be stubborn to sell Hernandez, who started during the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford to Swansea City last weekend, until sufficient cover can be found.

The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

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1/10The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

Radamel Falcao - Manchester United

Despite missing more than six months with injury, the Colombian striker remains one of the hottest properties in Europe. Falcao had been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but Arsenal and Manchester City had been linked with a move on deadline day for the striker. Enter Manchester United, who pulled off the shock of the summer after a season-long loan was agreed in principle with a view to a permanent deal.

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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

Sami Khedira - Arsenal/Chelsea

Will he, won’t he, will he, won’t he? Sami Khedira is clearly surplus to requirements at Real Madrid after the arrival of Toni Kroos but his wage demands and fee seem to be getting in the way of a resolution. He is a fantastic player and would be a major coup if he were to arrive at either London club, but this transfer will probably rumble on until deadline day

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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

Edinson Cavani - Liverpool

Another striker unhappy in Ligue 1, Cavani scored 25 goals for PSG last season but is reported to be unhappy playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Paris. PSG don’t want to sell, but Brendan Rodgers is looking at the top end of the market to replace Luis Suarez and could spend big on Cavani or Falcao

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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

Mehdi Benatia - Manchester United

The classy Moroccan centre-back would perfectly fit the profile as one of the back three in Louis van Gaal's system. The Roma man, believed to be available for about £30m, is very good on the ball, an excellent athlete and a fierce competitor. He is comfortable taking the ball forward and is a threat at set-pieces

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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

Arturo Vidal - Mancester United

This potential transfer seems to have been rumbling on all summer but appears unlikely. Vidal is supposedly keen on a move and a midfielder of Vidal’s quality would be an upgrade over United’s current crop, but Louis van Gaal is believed to have doubts about the Chilean’s knee

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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

Petr Cech - Real Madrid/PSG

Jose Mourinho wants Cech to stay in west London but the giant goalkeeper is too good to waste his away on the Chelsea bench. Real Madrid, Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain seem the likeliest destinations for the 32-year-old, who is still one of the very, very best in the world

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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

Mats Hummels - Manchester United

Again, this deal appeared to be dead after Jurgen Klopp said he had no intention to sell and made the World Cup hero his club captain. But rumours for the German centre-back continue to swirl and given United’s defensive woes – Tyler Blackett is not the answer – a huge bid could tempt the Bundesliga side

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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

Marco Reus - Various

One of the world’s best young players, Reus is being linked with just about every major European club. Manchester United and Liverpool appear to be leading the race in England, but Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and several other clubs would be delighted with the youngster. Reus’ cheap release clause, the cause of all the speculation, doesn’t take effect until next summer, so a big bid may tempt Dortmund to sell now

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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

Victor Valdes - Liverpool

The former Barcelona goalkeeper is looking for a new club as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury that forced him out of the World Cup. Liverpool are looking for a new goalkeeper after letting go of Pepe Reina, and Valdes would certainly provide competition for No 1 Simon Mignolet should he regain full fitness.

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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen

Danny Welbeck - Arsenal/Tottenham

The England international is a target for a number of Premier League clubs, but Manchester United are reluctant to strengthen a potential top-four rival with his departure. As a result, any destination will have to cough up a £5m just to take him on loan, while a permanent deal could be largely inflated given his homegrown status.

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Soldado endured a torrid first season in English football with Tottenham Hotspur, however, Mauricio Pochettino's appointment at White Hart Lane gives the Spaniard new hope of establishing himself.

Balotelli is expected to complete his return to England this weekend after undergoing a medical with the Reds yesterday evening.

Milan, on the other hand, will have to move fast if they are to find a suitable replacement for the Italy international after finishing 8th in Serie A last season.

Running with the headline 'Mario arrives in red, celebration at Liverpool', the Italian newspaper appears certain the deal is only a matter of time.

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