Javier Mascherano is refusing to play for Liverpool against
Manchester City on Monday night as he seeks to negotiate a transfer
away from the club.
Mascherano is effectively going on strike and doubts will be
raised whether he will ever turn out for the club again.
The player has previously said that he wants out of Anfield this
summer, although Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has remained confident
of keeping his star midfielder. However, despite Inter Milan
dropping their interest in the Argentine, Barcelona are reported to
have made a bid for his services.
The Guardian claim that the bid is €15 million (£12.2
million) and includes former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb and
Uruguayan defender Martin Caceres as makeweights.
Liverpool are understood to have rejected the offer as they want
€30 million (£24.4 million) up front with no player exchanges as
part of the deal.
Mascherano was excellent in the opening draw against Arsenal,
but missed the Europa League tie through Trabzonspor through injury
- thus allowing him to play in European club competitions if he
secures a move before the end of the transfer window next week.
"He is not here tonight because there is some speculation about
his future and his mind is not right, so it was not correct to
select him," Hodgson told Sky Sports ahead of the
game.
Hodgson has not given up hope of getting the chance to select
Mascherano again, as the club will not shift from their valuation
of the player.
"Hopefully it will be resolved before the end of the transfer
window and I will get the chance to select him again, but it was
not right tonight," Hodgson added. "The club has got a position. We
are under pressure from other clubs who want to sign him. There may
come a time when the offer matches our valuation, but until that
day he stays with us."
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