Crotone chief Giuseppe Ursino says they won't be bidding for Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli.

After their shock promotion to Serie A, Crotone president Raffaele Vrenna happily talked up the prospect of signing the Italy international.

But Ursino told Footballscouting.it: "You must be joking!

"It was a joke by the president. Mario Balotelli remains where he is. Or rather, certainly will not be playing at Crotone."

Balotelli, after spending last season on-loan with AC Milan, will start preseason at Liverpool.