Liverpool have told
Barcelona that they want £24.5
(€30) million in cash for Javier
Mascherano after rejecting the Spanish club’s opening player
exchange offer.
Despite reports that Barca’s opening bid was £12m,
Goal.com UK understands that the Primera Division
champions offered £18.8m plus Alexander Hleb for the 26-year-old
Argentine.
But Liverpool are adamant that they do not want a
player-plus-cash deal and will only consider a straight cash offer
for the midfielder.
Barcelona are expected to return with a second, improved bid in
the next 48 hours as they close in on a transfer that they hope to
complete by the end of the week. It is understood that the player
has already agreed personal terms with the Catalan giants.
Liverpool sources say the club accept that Mascherano has played
his last game for the Merseysiders – the 1-1 draw against Arsenal
eight days ago – and appreciate that the player’s value will only
diminish if he is held at Anfield against his will until January or
next summer.
The Argentina captain told Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson that he
did not feel his mind was right to figure in Liverpool’s Premier
League match at Manchester City tonight.
Manager Roy Hodgson said before the game: “He's not here tonight
because obviously there is some speculation about his future and at
the moment his mind isn't right, so it wasn't correct to select
him.
"Hopefully matters will get resolved, certainly before the end
of the transfer window and I'll have a chance to pick him again,
but tonight would not have been a good time to select him."
Hleb has been offered as a makeweight in the deal after failing
to make an impression at the Nou Camp following his switch from
Arsenal two summers ago.
The Belarus international was told last month that he has no
future under Barca coach Pep Guardiola after spending last season
on loan with VfB Stuttgart.