It had to be Liverpool, says Iago Aspas

Iago Aspas had plenty of offers when he decided it was time to leave Celta Vigo but there was only one place he was going.

"When I heard of Liverpool's interest I did not hesitate even for a minute," the 25-year-old forward was quoted as saying in Marca, the Spanish sports daily.

According to the paper the move for the fast and direct left-footer isn't finalised yet, but poised to be sealed for £7.25 million. A local idol, the Vigo-born Aspas was Celta's top scorer with 12 goals in La Liga this season, his first in the top flight.

"[Liverpool] is one of the biggest clubs in the world and although I had offers from Italy and Portugal and other countries I decided my future was in English football," Aspas said.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois has revealed that he will be returning to Atletico Madrid on loan next season. The 21-year-old Belgium international goalkeeper moved to Stamford Bridge from Genk in 2011 but immediately went on loan to Atletico, where he has enjoyed two successful years.

Mario Balotelli has apologised for his red card and furious reaction during Italy's World Cup qualifying match away to the Czech Republic on Friday.

"Good morning. Yesterday my reaction was not the right one, I offer an apology," Balotelli wrote on his Twitter account. "SORRY...to my team...I need to learn...still."