The Italy international will complete a €20 million move to Anfield early next week and the Rossoneri vice-president feels it was the right time for the forward to move on

AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani believes that Mario Balotelli’s imminent transfer to Liverpool is in everyone’s best interests.

The Rossoneri have agreed a €20 million fee with the Reds for the Italy international, who is expected to complete his proposed move to Anfield on Monday or Tuesday.

Milan boss Pippo Inzaghi has already stated that while the San Siro side are losing “a great player”, the sale of a player notorious for misbehaviour on and off the field will have a positive affect on “team spirit”.

Galliani has now conceded a matter of weeks after saying that Balotelli was “99 per cent certain” to be staying at Milan, that it was the right move for all three parties.

“It was a decision made in the interests of the player, Milan and Liverpool,” the Rossoneri vice-president told Milannews.

Milan are now being linked with a plethora of potential replacements, including Roma’s Mattia Destro and Porto’s Jackson Martinez, and while Galliani refused to be drawn on his transfer targets, he did admit that he has been talking strikers with Inzaghi on Sunday.

“A centre forward? Yes, it’s the priority,” he confessed. “We’re looking for a replacement for Balotelli.”

Milan kick off their Serie A campaign with a home game against Lazio on August 31.