Mascherano tapped up. Allegedly.

[Bogman 65]

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has revealed Argentina captain Javier Mascherano has turned down an approach by an unnamed club.

 

The Liverpool boss is preparing his side for Sunday's crucial Barclay's Premier League clash with Newcastle at Anfield aware that the 25-year-old's position at the club has been undermined.

 

Mascherano is only 15 months into a four-year contract, but Benitez held talks with him following the midfielder's own claims that he was unsure about his own future on Merseyside.

 

Benitez refused to name the club concerned but it is understood the approach did not come from either Italy or Spain.

 

That suggests a British club could be involved because it is unlikely that a club from anywhere else could match the player's wages or likely fee.

 

However Benitez has been quick to defuse the situation saying: "Javier is happy here with the fans, the club and the manager. I have had a very positive conversation with him.

 

"He has already said no to one club, a good side. He wants to stay but he cannot stop big clubs asking about him.

 

"If you are a top-class player, people are always asking about you. They will know if there are four or five big clubs asking for them and the player would be proud of that.

 

"He has tried to be polite and correct. Now I have had a conversation with him and it was very clear he wants to continue to play for us. I do not see this as a big problem.

 

"The conversation with him was very honest and he was very clear about things.

 

"These things happen always in football, clubs all around the world will work like this. It is just part of the situation that exists at the top level.

 

"You just have to handle it and work with the situation when it arises.

 

"Clearly we do not want to lose key players. Players like Mascherano and Xabi Alonso have long contracts so we are in a strong position, while we are very close now to sorting out Daniel Agger's position here.

 

RAFA: MASCH SNUBBED A MOVE | Football Transfer News, Football News, Fixtures, Results, Match Reports, Stats

[Guest Ulysses Everett McGill]

He's obviously selling Alonso then

 

The twat

 

Although I'd hardly call City a big side

[Dicko 702]

He's obviously selling Alonso then

 

The twat

 

You're right all the evidence is there.*

 

*I realise you're being sarcastic.

[23_Carra_Gold 2]

What British club could want him? Not Chelsea, their midfield is ridiculously over populated. Arsenal, could they afford him? ...The Mancs?

[sh#t waffle 1,523]

Manchester City?

[Spy Bee 3,337]

He's everything the mancs lack in midfield.

[Bogman 65]

Ahh, but Rafa said "big club", so that takes out the Chavs, citeh, etc, etc,

[23_Carra_Gold 2]

Forgot about City.

 

As far as I can see there are 2 clubs who are real possibilities. City and United.

[Byrnie 1,355]

big club in britain?? it must be everton then...

[el nino laff 37]

Big club?? maybe Everton?

[rebel23 0]

report the bastards and make a fuss.

[fungus 609]

wenger should want him but probably doesn't.

[Trucker Paddy 309]

Bayern Munich

[Joe Le Taxi 46]

Masch for Ribery and Alonso for Barry looks set to happen then if it's Bayern. Or is that just my nightmare? :whistle:

[Trucker Paddy 309]

Masch for Ribery and Alonso for Barry looks set to happen then if it's Bayern. Or is that just my nightmare? :whistle:

 

Bayern will spend big this summer and Van Bommel is leaving they need a player like masch but there not getting him so fuck off you German twats.

[fungus 609]

The loss of Masch would be 2nd only to the loss of Torres in my eyes.

[G Richards 4,263]

Out of the top four sides Arsenal need him the most. They play decent football and have the potential to be trophy winning again soon, but you would have to say their spine needs to be strengthened. Whether Arsenal could afford him is a completely different matter.

 

My bet is that Citeh have a new manager lined up (Mancini, Ancellotti or Rijkjaard) and they have tacitly let it be known that Mascher is a player they covet. They would improve his wages but not his trophy winning prospects.

 

That's my best guess anyhow.

[Unrighteous 952]

Out of the top four sides Arsenal need him the most. They play decent football and have the potential to be trophy winning again soon, but you would have to say their spine needs to be strengthened. Whether Arsenal could afford him is a completely different matter.

 

My bet is that Citeh have a new manager lined up (Mancini, Ancellotti or Rijkjaard) and they have tacitly let it be known that Mascher is a player they covet. They would improve his wages but not his trophy winning prospects.

 

That's my best guess anyhow.

 

I would imagine Mancini to City. Seems to fit the type. Didn't do anything special, but has massive reputation, and would command a big price.

[Sut 350]

wenger should want him but probably doesn't.

 

He's too old.

[Baldi 25]

Wouldnt put it past Ferguson to unsettle the side. I know he tried to sign him on transfer deadline day a couple of years ago only to find out West Ham had already done a deal.

[paddyberger15 30]

As if The Chief is going to leave Liverpool. He loves it here and he loves us. He is going nowhere.

[ratcatcher 753]

My bet would be filth as a bit of retaliation for the suggestion we could be interested in Tevez.

 

Wouldnt put it past ginsoak one iota.

[bossy 483]

deffo a manc of some sort then

[Medazza 0]

clearly city - they need some grit and could pay whatever it takes

[tokyojoe 1,978]

wenger should want him but probably doesn't.

 

I saw something on ceefax that Wenger's after another forward. Clearly got his priorities right.