Barcelona to test Liverpool's Mascherano resolve
Digg
del.icio.us
Facebook
Reddit
Google
Stumble Upon
Fark
Newsvine
YahooBuzz
Bebo
Twitter
Independent Minds
GETTY IMAGES
Liverpool's Rafa Benitez has said that Barcelona could not afford Javier Mascherano
enlarge
Barcelona are set to launch a £25m bid for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, according to reports today.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been resolute in his desire to hold on to the Argentina international, but reports from Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportiva allege he had given Barcelona permission to make an offer.
Benitez has in the past said he would not sell the midfield general for £50m.
Barcelona appear to be stepping up their efforts to bring in the 25-year-old, who they see as the perfect foil for Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the European Champions' midfield.
Liverpool also have a fight on their hands to hold on to Xabi Alonso, who continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.
View all comments that have been posted about this article.
Offensive or abusive comments will be removed and your IP logged and may be used to prevent further submission. In submitting a comment to the site, you agree to be bound by the Independent Minds Terms of Service.
- Print Article
- Email Article
-
Click here for copyright permissions
Copyright 2009 Independent News and Media Limited
Comments
It's the same with Alonso. Both players have 3 years left on their contracts, so why would anything less than the cost of a world class replacement be considered? And if they were to sell who could they get that was better? If there isn't anyone available to replace either player, selling makes no sense whatsoever.
Bottom line is it isn't down to Barcelona, Real Madrid or the players, Liverpool are the ones to decide who they sell and who they keep. If they sell Mascherano to Barcelona they're as stupid as Milan was for selling Kaka.
If you have ambition you don't sell your world class players and a club as big as Liverpool should feel no obligation to cave in to such a small bid.