AFP/Paul Ellisview photoLIVERPOOL (AFP) - Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez on Wednesday insisted that the club would not sell Javier Mascherano, despite claims from the player's agent that the midfielder would favour a move to Barcelona.
"Mascherano has no price," Benitez told www.liverpoolfc.tv. "Barcelona could not afford to match his value to Liverpool Football Club. We do not want to sell and Javier is very happy here.
"I have spoken to Javier two or three times this summer - the last time was only last week - and he was very happy, very positive.
"He gave me the private number of his agent, Walter Tamer, and again the conversation was very positive and was all about football."
Tamer was quoted in the British press as saying that Argentina captain Mascherano, arguably the best defensive midfielder in world football, would be proud that Barca were interested in him and suggested a move could be "feasible".
But Benitez claimed he had made it clear that Liverpool would not sell a player he regards as a key component of his side.
"Walter told me that two clubs with big, big names were asking after Mascherano - and I told him to forget it, that Javier was happy in Liverpool and he was not for sale," the Reds manager added.
"So I was surprised to see the agent's comments today.
"He has a long contract and any club can forget about bidding for him. They can offer 40 million pounds or even 50 million, we don't want to sell."
There has been speculation that Benitez could be forced to sell some key players this summer because of the financially precarious position of the club's American owners, who have to refinance 350 million pounds of debts by July 24.
But the Spaniard has insisted he will only consider offloading fringe players and that he does have some money to spent. An extra striker and a new right-back are the club's main priorities with Valencia's David Silva the principal target in the former category.
Comment 1 - 20 of 20
ronaldo leaving may not be such a bad thing for united- he didn't exactly take the champions final by storm and was made to look pretty ordinary by Messi and co- as
a LFC follower, i'm more concerned with who they're gonna replace him with- i hope it's not Villa or Ribery...now that would be bad news...
Ronaldo - cat among the pigeons for sure now - Man U has received a GBP80m bid for CR - and says he has told them he wants to leave. MU expects deal to conclude by June 30.
Soooo sad!
;-)
LFC fans should be smiling - her's a door opening for us. Manu U get a pile of money, but they can still only put 11 on the pitch, and noone else will equal Ronaldo in that spot.
humbleman, I have seen your comments on the Ronaldo story and elsewhere - you could add to the debate if you spent less time insulting other writers. Have you ever looked back at how your comments seem to have no substance at all? If you need a friend, try Facebook, don't blast footie fans.
YNWA
#12 humbleman, sorry you got so wound up, but you have to look at the facts. Man U has hit its peak, and has only one way to go now. Liverpool's empire did not last forever inthe 70s and 80s, and Man U has now seen its best, esp. if Ronaldo goes traipsing off to his admitted dream of playing at the Bernabeu. Think about it - Red-nose is 67 (a few signs fo senility, if I'm not mistaken recently), Man U just got badly roughed up by Barca, and some top players do not seem, shall we say, totally committed anymore - not to mention the end of th eline soon for OAPs Giggs and Scholes.
Time to step aside, Salford Utd.
tomkbms - can't blame the guy for wanting to go to a better club that is likely to win something next season. I mean Ronaldo.
mmmooose - you should be worried about Ronaldo instead. Without him, you're left with ageing players and a lazy striker.
why do I always see mmmooose in a page about Liverpool?
Oh come on... we bloody need side backs, why not swapping him for Daniel Alves for example. Masch's position in our team in Defensive midfielder, which I believe is Xavi Alonso's place. I prefer Alonso on the pitch than Masch... On the bench, we also have Lucas who I believe will turn into a better player (he just needs time and some more experience). For a decent price, let Javier go, he's not been on great use for now !!!
YNWA
MONSON.THEKNOLE Are u on leave from Rampton or on drugs, you write as if you are a complete brainless Lunatic.
Never read such tripe in my life, how old are u 6 or 7, cant be any older surely.
Thats right BARCA,hands off...............HE'S MINE!!
Javier, Now THAT liverpool has made him a star he should shine on them and stop coming up with senseless issues like Barca......love Benitez
Good bye Twinkle Toes off to Real LOL. Tevez off, Furguson staying so it's looking good for Liverpool.
once Tevez comes to Anfield and Look-at-me-aren't-I-wonderful-Ronalso joins the Galacticos, and grandpa VDS ships a few more dozen goals because Vidic is too frightened to pick up a decent striker, then we shall have to have nother look at things, innit?
WELL SAID MONSON... MANURE DREAMS WILL BE OVER SOON.... FERGIE THE RED NOSED GUM CHEWIN BAG PIPE BLOWIN ROONEY AND RONDILDO TADGE SUCKIN JOCK SCUM... WILL BE GONE..... YNWA... UNLESS YOUR A UTD FAN... THEN YOU'LL BE HIKIN ALONE AND SAD
Beneathus is worried, all his best players want out. These words of wisdom are brought to you by the Mmmm0000se.
monson.theknob: If he has ambition he goes, if he lacks ambition he stays. Tis simple see. These words of wisdom are brought to you by the Mmmm0000se.
you all sound like worried mancs
I would put money on Man U only having 2 more seasons in CL positions - replaced by City
;-)
YNWA
Summary of the article: Rafa @#$% his pants over Mascherano
can't blame the guy for wanting to go to a better club that is likely to win something.
means he is going then Rafa... you need the cash to mount another failed bid on the Premier League.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account