AC Milan have confirmed that Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has passed his medical ahead of his proposed return to the club on a season-long loan.
Balotelli, 25, has spent the last few days at his family home in Brescia, with Liverpool leaving him out of their squad for Monday night's 0-0 draw at Arsenal.
The Italy international arrived at the Clinica La Madonnina on Tuesday morning before moving on to the club's Milanello training facilities, with Milan later confirming that the striker passed his medical and is now waiting for final clearance ahead of completing the switch.
"Mario Balotelli has finished his medical at the Madonnina Clinic in Milan and is now waiting for his final clearance," a statement read. "He is expected to go to Casa Milan at 1.30 this afternoon."
Balotelli is expected to complete his move to the Serie A club on Tuesday evening and is due to train with his new teammates at 6 p.m. local time, in preparation for what might be his second debut for the club against Empoli on Saturday evening.
Balotelli himself spoke to Milan's official website after passing the medical and said he just has to get his head down and work hard.
"I am happy to be back. I don't have much to say because I just need to train and show what I can contribute," he said.
"Physically I am OK but I need to train with the squad. I am very motivated but I need to work hard and talk less.
"I always hoped I would return to Milan, the club hold a special place in my heart. Do I want to end my career here? I just want to get back to work and have a good season, I have to work and that is it."
Sources have told ESPN FC that Balotelli is prepared to take a cut in his £90,000-a-week salary in order to make the move happen, and the Reds have also agreed to pay a portion of his wages as part of the loan deal.
Balotelli returns to the club where he scored 26 goals in 43 league appearances after arriving from Manchester City in January 2013. He found the back of the net only once for Liverpool in the Premier League last season following his £16 million move to Anfield.
As a result of his poor form since moving to Merseyside in 2014, Balotelli has lost his place in the Italy squad. His return to Italy, where he can expect to play a more frequent part, may also help him get back into contention for a place in the national team for Euro 2016.
He will become Milan's latest big signing after a combined total of €83m was spent on Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano, Alessio Romagnoli and Andrea Bertolacci this summer. Milan nevertheless lost their opening Serie A fixture of the season 2-0 at Fiorentina on Sunday.