Uncertainty surrounding Liverpool's finances and indecision in the transfer market could lead Javier Mascherano to leave Anfield, with Barcelona said to be interested.
Mascherano is currently on a loan arrangement at the club after signing from West Ham United, where he was on a similar deal, a year ago following an unsuccessful spell at Upton Park.
The Argentine has revived his reputation at Liverpool as one of the best holding midfield players in world football and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is keen to tie up a permanent deal for the player.
However, Benitez has yet to fully resolve a dispute with Liverpool's American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, over what funds will be available to him to strengthen a squad that is in danger of falling out of the title race little over half way through the season and even faces competition from Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa for the fourth Champions League position.
Liverpool's shaky form this season means that Hicks and Gillett - already having to refinance their own loans used to buy the club due to the global credit crunch and having scaled down ambitions plans for a new stadium - might be unwilling to meet the £17 million asking price for the player.
The player's agents have already put word out that he is for sale and have had positive feedback, particularly from the Nou Camp.
"With the time that has passed, it'll now be more difficult for me to stay here because I need to do something about my future," said Mascherano.
"I have done everything to stay but now the owners must decide if they want to buy me or not."
Liverpool host relegation-threatened Wigan at Anfield tonight with Benitez conscious, after recent dropped points, that only victory will keep his side in touch with the Premier League leaders.
Mascherano is currently on a loan arrangement at the club after signing from West Ham United, where he was on a similar deal, a year ago following an unsuccessful spell at Upton Park.
The Argentine has revived his reputation at Liverpool as one of the best holding midfield players in world football and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is keen to tie up a permanent deal for the player.
However, Benitez has yet to fully resolve a dispute with Liverpool's American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, over what funds will be available to him to strengthen a squad that is in danger of falling out of the title race little over half way through the season and even faces competition from Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa for the fourth Champions League position.
Liverpool's shaky form this season means that Hicks and Gillett - already having to refinance their own loans used to buy the club due to the global credit crunch and having scaled down ambitions plans for a new stadium - might be unwilling to meet the £17 million asking price for the player.
The player's agents have already put word out that he is for sale and have had positive feedback, particularly from the Nou Camp.
"With the time that has passed, it'll now be more difficult for me to stay here because I need to do something about my future," said Mascherano.
"I have done everything to stay but now the owners must decide if they want to buy me or not."
Liverpool host relegation-threatened Wigan at Anfield tonight with Benitez conscious, after recent dropped points, that only victory will keep his side in touch with the Premier League leaders.
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