Liverpool set Barcelona deadline for Javier Mascherano deal
Reports today have suggested that Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has told Barcelona they have until Sunday to sign Javier Mascherano or the wantaway midfielder will stay at Anfield this season.
Ahead of tomorrow night’s second leg clash with Trabzonspor in the UEFA Europa League playoff clash in Turkey, Hodgson was quoted by Sky Sports as saying, "I am seriously hoping that in the next couple of days it will be sorted out one way or another — although I have no idea which way that will be. Tomorrow night was out of the question (for Mascherano to play) but Sunday is very much a question because I think by then I should know one way or another whether he is going to play for Liverpool this season or Barcelona."
Mascherano has been trying to win a move away from the English Premier League (EPL) club since the day he returned for preseason training with his agent in tow, and informed Hodgson of his wish to leave.
Despite being linked with Serie A giants Juventus, Barcelona have looked to be Mascherano's most likely suitors. However, while Mascherano has reportedly agreed on personal terms with the La Liga outfit, Barcelona has yet to come to an accord with Liverpool over a fee.
Mascherano cost Liverpool £18.6 million when he was signed from West Ham United in February 2008, and the Reds are said to be looking for a fee of around £24.5m before they will allow the 26-year-old to move on. Barcelona, however, reportedly offered a part-exchange deal of £18.8m plus Alexander Hleb, but Liverpool rejected this as they are believed to want a straight cash fee.
The midfielder was left out of Liverpool’s Europa League squad, as well as the 3-0 EPL defeat to Manchester City, because Hodgson declared Mascherano was not in the right frame of mind to play in the match.
Tags: