Rafael Benítez remains cautious of Javier Mascherano red tape
Oliver Kay
Liverpool are eager to secure the long-term future of Javier Mascherano but will proceed with caution before deciding whether to meet the £17 million buyout figure demanded by Kia Joorabchian, the businessman who owns the Argentina midfield player’s “economic rights”.
Mascherano joined Liverpool in an unusual lease arrangement in January, with the Merseyside club paying Joorabchian’s company, Media Sports Investment (MSI), a loan fee to secure the player’s services until the end of this season. Under the terms of that agreement, Liverpool can sign a long-term deal with Mascherano before June 30 next year by paying MSI £17 million and assuming control of his economic rights as well as his playing registration, but planned changes to Fifa’s regulations on third-party ownership mean that the club will wait before deciding to pay that sum.
What is not in doubt is Liverpool’s desire to keep Mascherano. The player had five torrid months at West Ham United last season, but since moving to Anfield he has recaptured the form that made him one of the most coveted talents in world football.
Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, is determined to secure Mascherano’s services for the long term, although there is interest in him from Real Madrid and at least one of the Italian clubs who, along with Manches-ter United, pursued him before his surprise move to West Ham. The 23-year-old has indicated that he would be happy to stay at Anfield. “I love playing for Liverpool and, if the manager wants to keep me, I’d definitely stay for a long time,” he said.
The signing of Mascherano is one of several moves planned by Benítez, although his activity in the January transfer window might not stretch far beyond the purchase of a central defender and a forward – if he cannot wait to offload Peter Crouch. The England forward has fallen dramatically out of favour and appears to have no long-term future at Anfield.
Oliver Kay
Liverpool are eager to secure the long-term future of Javier Mascherano but will proceed with caution before deciding whether to meet the £17 million buyout figure demanded by Kia Joorabchian, the businessman who owns the Argentina midfield player’s “economic rights”.
Mascherano joined Liverpool in an unusual lease arrangement in January, with the Merseyside club paying Joorabchian’s company, Media Sports Investment (MSI), a loan fee to secure the player’s services until the end of this season. Under the terms of that agreement, Liverpool can sign a long-term deal with Mascherano before June 30 next year by paying MSI £17 million and assuming control of his economic rights as well as his playing registration, but planned changes to Fifa’s regulations on third-party ownership mean that the club will wait before deciding to pay that sum.
What is not in doubt is Liverpool’s desire to keep Mascherano. The player had five torrid months at West Ham United last season, but since moving to Anfield he has recaptured the form that made him one of the most coveted talents in world football.
Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, is determined to secure Mascherano’s services for the long term, although there is interest in him from Real Madrid and at least one of the Italian clubs who, along with Manches-ter United, pursued him before his surprise move to West Ham. The 23-year-old has indicated that he would be happy to stay at Anfield. “I love playing for Liverpool and, if the manager wants to keep me, I’d definitely stay for a long time,” he said.
The signing of Mascherano is one of several moves planned by Benítez, although his activity in the January transfer window might not stretch far beyond the purchase of a central defender and a forward – if he cannot wait to offload Peter Crouch. The England forward has fallen dramatically out of favour and appears to have no long-term future at Anfield.
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