Liverpool have agreed a £14m deal to sell striker Fabio Borini to fellow Premier League club Sunderland.
Borini, 23, spent last season on loan at the Black Cats and helped them avoid relegation.
The Italy international scored 10 goals during his stint at the Stadium of Light and picked up the club’s young player of the year award.
Borini, Brendan Rodgers’ first signing as Liverpool boss, moved to Anfield from Roma for about £11m in July 2012.
However, the forward struggled to make an impact on Merseyside as he scored just two goals in the 2012-13 campaign before his loan move to Sunderland.
His first goal for Gus Poyet’s side was the winner in the derby against Newcastle in October 2013, and he scored four goals in their final five league games of last season – including a winner against Premier League title chasers Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Borini also helped Sunderland reach the Capital One Cup final although, despite scoring the opener at Wembley, he ended up on the losing side as they were beaten by Manchester City.
The striker had returned to Liverpool for pre-season and started in the club’s first pre-season friendly, which was a 2-1 defeat away at Danish club Brondby on Wednesday, before a fee for his transfer was agreed.
If he completes the move, he will become Sunderland’s fourth summer signing following the arrivals of midfielder Jordi Gomez from Wigan, defender Billy Jones from West Brom and keeper Costel Pantilimon from Manchester City.
BBC SPORT
