Fabio Borini looks set to join a permanent deal with Sunderland, after the North East club edged closer to agreeing a deal with Liverpool once significantly increasing their offer for the Italian.

Borini spent the 2013-14 on a season-long loan at the Stadium of Light, making 40 appearances and scoring 10 goals. Having built a strong rapport with supporters for his crucial goals, the Black Cats offered £10 million for the 23-year-old but they were told that would not be enough.

However, they have now returned with a £14 million bid for the forward and though Brendan Rodgers had been keen on giving Borini the chance at Anfield, that fee may prove too much to turn down.

The Sunderland fan favourite joined Liverpool in the same summer as Rodgers and was the Ulsterman's first ever signing as Reds boss, making the £10 million switch from A.S. Roma. Though he struggled to find his feet and his first season was stricken by injury, meaning he ended his first full season in English football with two goals in 20 appearances. 

For the development he needed, he went on loan to Sunderland but monumental goals such as a fantastic late winner over rivals Newcastle United, before powering a penalty past Tim Krul in the return affair quickly boosted his confidence. He went on to score a winning penalty against Manchester United to help fire them into the Capital One Cup and put them into the lead against Manchester City at Wembley with a fine finish. He also ended Jose Mourinho's 77 game unbeaten streak at Stamford Bridge, when his penalty condemned Chelsea to defeat and helped them stave off relegation. 

His efforts saw him crowned Young Player of The Year on Wearside, and now he looks close to joining them full-time. His tally there was the equal-best of his career and he was the club's joint-top goalscorer, and it looks as if a permanent move would be best for both parties.

Rodgers and Liverpool will be extremely pleased with such an offer, even though it may be £12 million upfront and £2 million in performance-based add ons. 

His exit follows Luis Suárez' £75 million departure, meaning Rodgers has only Rickie Lambert and Daniel Sturridge as his strike options and so reinforcements can be expected within the coming weeks. 

Liverpool have most recently been touted with an £8 million bid Loïc Rémy or a £19 million move for Swansea's Wilfried Bony, but it is believed the latter may prove a better option and so the Reds may now begin to push a deal as they prepare for the upcoming season. 

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About the author
Charlie Malam
Digital Sports Writer at the Daily Express. First-class Staffordshire University Sports Journalism graduate. Formerly VAVEL UK's Liverpool FC editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Contributor since June 2014.