Fabio Borini's agent has insisted that Rickie Lambert's arrival will not end his client's Liverpool career.
The Italian was loaned out to Sunderland last season, where he scored seven goals to help them stay in the Premier League, but his chances of returning to the first-team fold at Anfield have been dented by the signing of England frontman Lambert from Southampton this week.
However, Borini's representative Marco de Marchi has stressed that the 21-year-old forward is determined to fight for his place on Merseyside, despite there now being even greater depth to a strike force which includes Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, who netted 52 top-flight goals between them last term.
"Does Lambert's arrival close the door on Fabio Borini? No, I don't think so," De Marchi told tuttomercatoweb.com. "We have received no communications in that regard.
"In this last season, Fabio gave a considerable contribution towards keeping Sunderland up. He was praised by everyone, especially by the Liverpool manager [Brendan] Rodgers. So, after his holidays he will go back to Liverpool to prepare for the new season wearing the shirt of this historic club.
"He wants to compete with everyone and be an extra resource for the coach and the team. Borini could be of use to any team, but no-one has contacted us and his desire is to show what he's got at Liverpool."
Sunderland are believed to be pursuing the possibility of acquiring Borini permanently this summer.
Joe Fish
