Mascherano developments

[tomasjj]

As long as we have first option nothing can happen until June right?

Well, I don't think he can sign anything with another club before then, but I reckon he is now free to negotiate.

[rushscored4]

It's all about opinons & what you can afford, who would have thought Ferguson (the **** ) would have paid 17mil for Carrick.

I don't think anybody would have valued Carrick or Hargreaves at £17 million either but that was what it took to prise them away from their clubs.

Time and again the Mancs have shown a willingness to overpay for who they consider the 'right' player and that policy continues to serve them well.

You could argue that Mascherano isn't worth £17 million but for me, his consistent performance level and attitude prove him to be the right player for us for many years to come and that makes him worth overpaying for.

I was expecting somebody to mention both Carrick and Hargreaves but even the most biased Man U fan - and I know plenty - would concede that they have paid well over the odds for both players, especially Carrick.

Sadly, the Mancs have the funds to be able to pay more than double a player's market value. We don't. I reckon Carrick was worth no more than £7m or £8m and they paid £18m I believe. Hargreaves might have been around £10m and they paid £17m.

Although I think Mascher is a better player, and I value him about £12m, I still don't think he is the complete midfield player you would expect for £17m and I would rather we used that money - assuming we actually have it - on a player that gives us more creative flair and can unlock defences.

IMHO of course...

[CAD]

I was expecting somebody to mention both Carrick and Hargreaves but even the most biased Man U fan - and I know plenty - would concede that they have paid well over the odds for both players, especially Carrick.

Sadly, the Mancs have the funds to be able to pay more than double a player's market value. We don't. I reckon Carrick was worth no more than £7m or £8m and they paid £18m I believe. Hargreaves might have been around £10m and they paid £17m.

Although I think Mascher is a better player, and I value him about £12m, I stil don't think he is the complete midfield player you would expect for £17m and I would rather we used that money - assuming we actually have it - on a player that gives us more creative flair and can unlock defences.

IMHO of course...

I actually agree. 17 is just too much for us.

[Taffy]

Liverpool set to lose Argentina maestro Mascherano to Juventus
By ASHLEY GRAY

Liverpool are set to let Javier Mascherano slip through their fingers. The Argentina midfielder is closing in on a move to Juventus after admitting that he was flattered by the interest.

The Anfield club have stalled over finding the £17million needed to make the former West Ham misfit's loan deal permanent and Juventus are ready to open negotiations over a summer move.

Mascherano, who will become the first casualty of Anfield's boardroom disharmony, said: "I would love to stay here (in Liverpool). I have tried and I've adapted to the city very well."

"But the clubs that are talking are also important and I would like to go," the 23-year-old told an Argentinian radio station.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is keen to hold on to the former West Ham midfielder, whose loan from Kia Joorabchian's MSI runs out in the summer. But Benitez has been unable to secure funding from the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and Mascherano's agent Walter Tamer this week cleared the way for a move.

"Liverpool have not made any offer at all to buy Javier and it is likely that he will go to Italy next season," said Tamer.

AC Milan are also interested. Wherever he ends up, he is set to miss most of August after emerging as a surprise contender to represent Argentina at the Olympics.

The 2004 gold medallists intend to take their strongest possible side to Beijing and are allowed to name three over-age players as part of an Under 23 squad.

Mascherano, who will be 24 in June, is set to be one of the relative veterans alongside Boca Juniors' 29-year-old playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and Bayern Munich defender Martin Demechelis, 27. The trio have been called up for a friendly against Guatemala, to be played in Los Angeles on February 6, when the man charged with selecting the Olympic squad, Sergio Batista, will be in charge instead of senior coach Alfio Basile. Mascherano, who was part of the team who won gold in Athens four years ago, said: "I was not expecting it, but it is a tremendous joy." Many expected Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez to be called up. But the wealth of young attacking talent has led to Batista to strengthen the backbone of the side, despite having Real Madrid's Fernando Gago and Valencia's Ever Banega as Under 23 alternatives to Mascherano. Meanwhile, River Plate want to recruit Liverpool left winger Sebastian Leto.

The 21-year-old Argentine went to Anfield from Lanus for £1.9m last summer and River are prepared to pay a similar amount to tempt him back home following just four appearances this season.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...79&ito=newsnow

If this is true then where would it leave Juve and signing Sissoko - I can't see them wanting to sign Sissoko now and then Mascherano in the summer!? Hope this doesn't cost us the Momo deal as it would be a total disaster to lose Mascher and lose out on the Momo funds too!

[alunevans]

I was expecting somebody to mention both Carrick and Hargreaves but even the most biased Man U fan - and I know plenty - would concede that they have paid well over the odds for both players, especially Carrick.

Sadly, the Mancs have the funds to be able to pay more than double a player's market value. We don't. I reckon Carrick was worth no more than £7m or £8m and they paid £18m I believe. Hargreaves might have been around £10m and they paid £17m.

Although I think Mascher is a better player, and I value him about £12m, I stil don't think he is the complete midfield player you would expect for £17m and I would rather we used that money - assuming we actually have it - on a player that gives us more creative flair and can unlock defences.

IMHO of course...

It'll be interesting to see what Momo goes for. If he comfortably goes for 12 then I think that will show that 17 for Masher is in the right ball park (at least 15 anyhow), irrespective of the Man U thing.

I get where you're coming from though. Who'd have thought that 17 million goes such a short distance these days. But I suspect that in terms of the current market its not too far off the money.

We are either in for such players at market rates, or we're an also ran of a club.

[rushscored4]

We are either in for such players at market rates, or we're an also ran of a club.

I think you've answered your own question there, Al!

And I expect Momo to go for around £9m - £10m.

[Tee]

So Juve are nicking all of our midfield now!! Sissoko and Mascher??!!

[Rich]

So Juve are nicking all of our midfield now!! Sissoko and Mascher??!!

Well we did sing about having the best midfield in the world!

[rushscored4]

Well we did sing about having the best midfield in the world!

Oh-oh-oh-oh
We HAD the best midfield in the world...

[Alpha]

I still don't think he is the complete midfield player you would expect for £17m and I would rather we used that money - assuming we actually have it - on a player that gives us more creative flair and can unlock defences.

I agree we need a flair player but if it came down to it, I would use the funds from Alonso's sale before I let Masher slip away.

[AFII]

oh-oh-oh-oh

We sold the best midfield in the world
and all we got for it was a better Canadians and Stars.

[rushscored4]

I agree we need a flair player but if it came down to it, I would use the funds from Alonso's sale before I let Masher slip away.

Xabi doesn't seem quite the same player this season. I'm not sure if it is just the foot injury, the upheaval behind the scenes or there's something else not quite right.

Continuing my attempt at valuing players, I would rate Xabi about the same price as Mascher (£12m) in the English market. However, a La Liga team might be prepared to pay up to £3m more as he is a Spanish international, has experience in Spain and would easily re-adapt to the slower pace which allows more him time on the ball.

[Rich]

Xabi doesn't seem quite the same player this season. I'm not sure if it is just the foot injury, the upheaval behind the scenes or there's something else not quite right.

Continuing my attempt at valuing players, I would rate Xabi about the same price as Mascher (£12m) in the English market. However, a La Liga team might be prepared to pay up to £3m more as he is a Spanish international, has experience in Spain and would easily re-adapt to the slower pace which allows more him time on the ball.

regarding Xabi, I was thinking back to his excellent goal he scored against Arsenal in his first season, and I cannot imagine him at the moment being able to repeat it - he wouldn't be in the right place, he wouldn't react quickly enough, and perhaps doesn't quite have his pin-point accuracy. I'm hoping it's down to him still trying to get over his injury troubles.

[AFII]

regarding Xabi, I was thinking back to his excellent goal he scored against Arsenal in his first season, and I cannot imagine him at the moment being able to repeat it - he wouldn't be in the right place, he wouldn't react quickly enough, and perhaps doesn't quite have his pin-point accuracy. I'm hoping it's down to him still trying to get over his injury troubles.

That is also a problem. His injuries. His injury record isn't looking any good.

I would sell him for the right price, £15m+.

Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas and one attacking midfielder would be the ideal central midfield options IMO.

[alunevans]

I think you've answered your own question there, Al!

And I expect Momo to go for around £9m - £10m.

Well that first line has depressed me Iain. Thanks It hurts cos its probably true

If Momo is 10 then Masher is 15 which means we overpay by 2million which isn't much, especially given that its a risk free transfer (ie we know what we're getting).