Barcelona star Lionel Messi has maintained the pressure in the tug-of-war for Javier Mascherano by reiterating his desire for the Liverpool man to join him.
Argentina captain Mascherano is a major target for Barcelona and even though manager Rafael Benitez is insisting the player is happy at Anfield and that he does not want to sell him.
Messi has spoken in the past of his wish to link up with his international team-mate at club level and he repeated that sentiment yesterday.
“Of course I would like him to join, who would not want to play with great players like Javier,” Messi said. “I hope he can come here.”
There has been speculation suggesting Mascherano wants to become one of Liverpool’s highest earners and that his wife has not settled on Merseyside.
But the player himself spoke in glowing terms about Benitez and the relationship he has with the manager who rescued him from a miserable spell in West Ham’s reserves just over two years ago.
Benitez is determined to keep the combative Argentinian but it appears Barcelona are not yet ready to give up their pursuit of the 25-year-old.
The Liverpool boss is facing attacks on all sides from Spanish clubs with Real Madrid stepping up their bid to sign Xabi Alonso.
Rumours of a £30m bid have been circulating as returning Real president Florentino Perez continues to try to spend his way to success.
Argentina captain Mascherano is a major target for Barcelona and even though manager Rafael Benitez is insisting the player is happy at Anfield and that he does not want to sell him.
Messi has spoken in the past of his wish to link up with his international team-mate at club level and he repeated that sentiment yesterday.
“Of course I would like him to join, who would not want to play with great players like Javier,” Messi said. “I hope he can come here.”
There has been speculation suggesting Mascherano wants to become one of Liverpool’s highest earners and that his wife has not settled on Merseyside.
But the player himself spoke in glowing terms about Benitez and the relationship he has with the manager who rescued him from a miserable spell in West Ham’s reserves just over two years ago.
Benitez is determined to keep the combative Argentinian but it appears Barcelona are not yet ready to give up their pursuit of the 25-year-old.
The Liverpool boss is facing attacks on all sides from Spanish clubs with Real Madrid stepping up their bid to sign Xabi Alonso.
Rumours of a £30m bid have been circulating as returning Real president Florentino Perez continues to try to spend his way to success.
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