Watford boss Quique Flores has dismissed the prospect of signing Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli.

Balotelli has been linked with a return to his homeland through the likes of Bologna and Sampdoria, but newly-promoted Watford have also been credited with an interest.

However, Flores has played down speculation linking him with a move for the Reds forward.

"When a player is only in the plan of the media I prefer to not talk about it," Flores told reporters.

"Inside the club we haven't talked about Mario Balotelli. So at the moment this is a possibility more in the media than the club."

Balotelli signed for Liverpool last summer from AC Milan for around £16m.