Deal: Javier Mascherano looks set to end his stint
at Liverpool by joining Barcelona
Javier Mascherano has already agreed terms on an £85,000
a week contract with Barcelona, it has been claimed.
The midfielder refused to play in Liverpool’s 3-0
defeat by Manchester City on Monday night, with boss Roy Hodgson
admitting that the 26-year-old’s head had been turned.
The Reds have rejected a £16million offer that included a
£4m-rated Alexander Hleb as part of the deal, but reports in
Catalonia believe the clubs will soon find some common ground.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola refused to speak specifically about
Mascherano, but admitted that signing a replacement for Yaya Toure
was his only aim before the transfer window closes next week.
'I will speak about him when he's here - if he comes,' said
Guardiola. 'If a defensive midfielder arrives the needs of the team
will be resolved.
'If one arrives I will be satisfied. I understand that the club
is doing everything possible to sign this kind of player.'
Makeweight: Alexander Hleb has failed to settle
since joining Barca from Arsenal
However, Hodgson insisted that Liverpool would not bow
to pressure and accept a bargain basement fee, despite Mascherano’s
determination to leave.
‘Mascherano was not in the right frame of mind to play,’ he said
at Eastlands. ‘His head has been turned.
‘But he should know that the fee we would want and the fee we
have been offered by Barcelona are some distance apart. That being
the case, it could be that he is unhappy for a long time yet.’
Liverpool have offered the Argentina captain a new contract that
would see his earnings jump dramatically from £30,000 to £100,000 a
week.
Mascherano, who reported in at Liverpool's Melwood training
ground on Tuesday, indicated last season he was happy to stay
and eager to sign a new deal.
However, he performed a U-turn earlier this month by insisting
he wanted to quit the country. Hodgson revealed that the former
West Ham midfielder’s wife had not settled on Merseyside.
Barca’s four-year offer may be lower than that on the table from
Liverpool, but Mascherano expects he would fit in well at the Nou
Camp and has a huge dressing room ally in Lionel Messi.
Guardiola confirmed he was trying to off-load Hleb and the
Belarus international is understood to be keen to join Liverpool,
but Hodgson may seek a straight cash deal.
Real Madrid’s Mahamadou Diarra could be signed from Real Madrid
as a direct replacement for Mascherano.
