Mascherano wants to quit West Ham

[GWistooshort]

correct 18 month loan, but still hasn't been officially announced yet, for some reason.

The club did announce it in late Nov - if you go to the news archive page on the official site & search on Insua it brings up a story entitled "Reds confirm deal for youngster" from 28 Nov, but unfortunately the link takes you to a different story

Here's the Sky Sports website story from the same time based on the official site story...

Reds agree Argentine deal
By Peter ORourke - Created on 28 Nov 2006

Liverpool have confirmed they have agreed a deal to sign Argentine ace Emiliano Insua.

The Boca Juniors youngster arrived in England for talks last week and he has agreed a move to Anfield.

Insua is set to ink an 18-month loan deal when the transfer window reopens in January and Liverpool will have the option to make it permanent at the end of the contract.

The Argentine Under 20 international is highly rated in his homeland and Reds boss Rafa Benitez is a big fan of the left-back.

"He is a good, young player with a lot of potential," said Benitez.

"He will come to us in January and we'll start to assess him at Melwood."

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...Argentine+deal

[The_weatherman]

I don´t see why Liverpool should get an exception from the rule though, not sure he´ll play for us anytime soon. The Brazilian Serie A runs from April to the end of December I think, so he probably played for Corinthians this year after July 1.

[AFII]

Fifa look ready to scupper Liverpool's attempt to sign Javier Mascherano on a loan deal, despite reports indicating that the Argentinian midfielder is close to a move to Merseyside.

Mascherano looks set to become one of the first departures under new West Ham boss Alan Curbishley after failing to adjust to life in the Premiership since his shock transfer deadline day signing from Corinthians.

The holding midfielder has pleaded with The Hammers to let him seek pastures new, and Reds boss Benitez has reputedly offered Mascherano an escape route from his Upton Park malaise.

Widespread reports in the English media indicate that talks regarding a loan switch to Anfield are at an advanced stage, but Fifa rules prohibit a player from appearing for three separate sides in the same season.

Now a spokesman for the governing body has confirmed that the rules will not be broken to facilitate Mascherano's potential move to Merseyside.

"The rules are very clear. Article 5.3 states that, although a player can be registered for a maximum of three clubs during the period from 1st July to 30th June, he is only eligible to play in official matches for two clubs in this period," a Fifa spokesman told The Times.

"In the case of Mascherano or [Carlos] Tevez, they have already played for Corinthians and West Ham United.

"The rule is binding. It cannot be deactivated just because it suits the clubs and the player in a certain instance.

"These rules were drawn up to protect the interests of players and clubs and to provide more stability in football.

"If a case was formally submitted to the Fifa bodies, then of course the Fifa bodies would look at it, but the view from our legal department is very clear that the regulations cannot be broken."

CLICKY from Sky

[Guest]

I don´t see why Liverpool should get an exception from the rule though, not sure he´ll play for us anytime soon. The Brazilian Serie A runs from April to the end of December I think, so he probably played for Corinthians this year after July 1.

Bascombe intimated that wasn't the case in his article yesterday. Don't think Rafa would have moved for him if the chance to sign him wasn't real.

[The_weatherman]

Bascombe intimated that wasn't the case in his article yesterday. Don't think Rafa would have moved for him if the chance to sign him wasn't real.

We went for Gonzalez and didn´t get a permit, Rafa seems to like risks. Maybe we´ll just get him on board so no-one else will and have him train with us instead of West Ham. Since Javier won´t play at West Ham he might as well train with Gerrard, Alonso and co. instead of Mullins, Etherington and Bowyer

[Reece]

We went for Gonzalez and didn´t get a permit, Rafa seems to like risks. Maybe we´ll just get him on board so no-one else will and have him train with us instead of West Ham. Since Javier won´t play at West Ham he might as well train with Gerrard, Alonso and co. instead of Mullins, Etherington and Bowyer

Etherington's gone to Fulham I think.

[Red Chilli]

It seems like he may be coming, fair enough if it's on loan because at least we'll be able to pull out when he doesn't settle.
This signing will probably mean Steven Gerrard on the right for the rest of the season which is very sad in my opinion. It may signal the end of his LFC career if it pans out that way.

[Guest]

It seems like he may be coming, fair enough if it's on loan because at least we'll be able to pull out when he doesn't settle.
This signing will probably mean Steven Gerrard on the right for the rest of the season which is very sad in my opinion. It may signal the end of his LFC career if it pans out that way.

Do you really feel that he'll slot straight into our midfield and replace Stevie ??

[Red Chilli]

Do you really feel that he'll slot straight into our midfield and replace Stevie ??

What's the point in signing him on loan if we're not going to play him? He won't be on a small wage so it's a bit of a waste if he doesn't play. The way he's being talked up in this thread as "better than Xabi" I would have thought he'd waltz into the team.

[SouthAfricaRed]

I'm not sure why everyone seems to be suddenly creaming their pants over a player who has been, quite frankly, pants for one of the poorest teams in the league. Sure, we've all seen he's good on Champ Manager & Pro Evo, but if he's struggled to adapt at West Ham why will he suddenly be a different player with us - at the end of the day he'll still be playing in the same league.

I don't mind us getting him on a no-risk loan, but I'm not getting my hopes up that he'll be anything special because most of the time this season he's looked like a lost little kid. You could argue that Pardew didn't like him/had a boner for Mullins instead, but if that's true why isn't he even on the bench for Curbishley?

And jesus, even AA is excited/optimistic, something must definitely be wrong

How can a West Ham reject be anything to get excited about :whatever:

[Guest]

The way he's being talked up in this thread as "better than Xabi" I would have thought he'd waltz into the team.

That's if you believe such idiots.

[Red Chilli]

That's if you believe such idiots.

You may have guessed, I don't

[kurtangle01]

He's not better than Xabi despite what AFII would have us believe.

[AFII]

I didn't say that he is better than Xabi. I said that he has the potential to be better than Xabi if he can settle in.

I have seen him play in the Brazilian league and he is a fantastic passer.

[Red Chilli]

If Mascherano can settle then we would get a player that is as good or even better than Alonso.

This statement is patently utter bull****