Javier Mascherano’s wages were far below the level given to other Liverpool stars, which is causing his unrest at the club, so it seems that the Anfield club have decided to offer him £90,000 a week to persuade him to stay.
An article in todays News of the World says: BARCELONA coach Pep Guardiola has told the club to go ahead with the pursuit of midfielder Javier Mascherano even though Yaya Toure has signed a new deal.
The Spanish giants still believe they can grab Mascherano, 25, despite Liverpool offering to up the Argentinian’s wages to £90,000 a week in a desperate attempt to keep him.
Toure’s contract extension looked to have ended Barca’s interest but Guardiola wants to use the Ivory Coast star in the central defensive role he occupied at times last season.
His versatility has persuaded Guardiola the club could accommodate another holding midfielder and the Barca coach is a big fan of £25m-rated Mascherano.
But the Spanish champs know Liverpool are unlikely to let both Mascherano and Real Madrid target Xabi Alonso go.
So if Alonso stays, expect Barca to crank up their Mascherano chase.
This sounds like speculative nonsense from the News of the World. Okay i believe that Liverpool will offer him more money, but I think a move to Barcelona is extremely unlikely to happen. What do Liverpool supporters think?
Liverpool are holding all the cards as he’s still 3yrs on his contract, if we can get him to extend it to 5yrs then paying 80/90 would be reasonable the way things are. It is important though that he is commited enough to do this and if he’s not then he must go. The longer he stays on the same contract the less money we would acrue. Rafa should put an offer on the table to him. As well as tell Barca his price take it or leave it. Tell Barca we don’t want offers or deals or anything other than the price we’re asking, if they don’t match it then they should publicly anounce they’ll not pursue him, if they do we should report the conduct to uefa. Once Barca are out of the way offering Masch an extended deal and worthy payrise should see the matter sorted. Its all about how much Barca value him. While they have Yaya Toure, Iniesta and Xavi i suspect the value to Barca is not equal to that of Liverpool. This is why he will and should stay.
The truth is out! As I suspected, Mascherano doesn’t really want out. He just wants a pay rise! Can’t blame him, he’s a great player.
Just let Barcelona knows that LFC picked Mascherano from West Ham Utd bench for £ £18M. Now he’s a star and still have 3 yrs contract. If Barcelona want him now, let they know the price is £54M CASH, three times the amount LFC paid to West Ham Utd. With that money LFC can get Inler, Lorik Cana & Silva. So that the deal.