January could be a busy month for Rafael Benitez, as the Liverpool manager attempts to secure the long-term services of Javier Mascherano and Racing Santander’s Ezequiel Garay.
Argentine Mascherano is currently entering his eleven month of a loan deal at Liverpool and his consistent performances in midfield have quickly gained him an army of admires on Merseyside.
Benitez is reported to be keen on making the ball-winner a permanent squad member in January rather than wait till the summer.
To this end, it is rumoured that the Spaniard has made a major breakthrough in his negotiations with MSI, the company that own Mascherano’s playing rights.
MSI, who also control Carlos Tevez's involvement with Manchester United, initially wanted a reported £17 million fee for the Argentinean international.
However, it is believed Liverpool have agreed for that £17 million fee to include the player’s wages over a five-year spell – beating off interest from Barcelona.
Clearly the confirmation of the player’s stay would please his team-mates, as goalkeeper Jose Reina stated: “It is quite important because Mascherano has been one of our best players so far.
“It was a loan, a clever loan, and we have to take the next step which is to get him for a few years.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been boosted in their pursuit of 21-year-old centre back Garay after he revealed he would love to play in England.
Benitez has been in the market for a young, capable defender who can operate at fullback as comfortably as in the centre, since losing out on Gabriel Heinze.
Garay was named in La Liga’s team of the season last year, and he currently has a £14.2 million buy-out clause at Racing Santander.
“To play in England is a dream,” he was quoted as saying in The News of the World.
“My head is in Racing but I would like to progress.”
But Liverpool may face stiff competition for the highly-rated stopper as Manchester United are also thought to be monitoring the defender.
Argentine Mascherano is currently entering his eleven month of a loan deal at Liverpool and his consistent performances in midfield have quickly gained him an army of admires on Merseyside.
Benitez is reported to be keen on making the ball-winner a permanent squad member in January rather than wait till the summer.
To this end, it is rumoured that the Spaniard has made a major breakthrough in his negotiations with MSI, the company that own Mascherano’s playing rights.
MSI, who also control Carlos Tevez's involvement with Manchester United, initially wanted a reported £17 million fee for the Argentinean international.
However, it is believed Liverpool have agreed for that £17 million fee to include the player’s wages over a five-year spell – beating off interest from Barcelona.
Clearly the confirmation of the player’s stay would please his team-mates, as goalkeeper Jose Reina stated: “It is quite important because Mascherano has been one of our best players so far.
“It was a loan, a clever loan, and we have to take the next step which is to get him for a few years.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been boosted in their pursuit of 21-year-old centre back Garay after he revealed he would love to play in England.
Benitez has been in the market for a young, capable defender who can operate at fullback as comfortably as in the centre, since losing out on Gabriel Heinze.
Garay was named in La Liga’s team of the season last year, and he currently has a £14.2 million buy-out clause at Racing Santander.
“To play in England is a dream,” he was quoted as saying in The News of the World.
“My head is in Racing but I would like to progress.”
But Liverpool may face stiff competition for the highly-rated stopper as Manchester United are also thought to be monitoring the defender.
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