Thursday, August 26, 2010

Roy Hodgson Hands Barcelona Ultimatum Over Javier Mascherano Transfer

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has given Barcelona until Sunday to sign midfielder Javier Mascherano.

With the Argentina international having already declared that he is keen to leave Anfield before the close of the summer transfer window, Hodgson left him out of the squad in the 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Monday, declaring that the player was not in the right frame of mind to feature for the Reds.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has expressed an inclination to sign Mascherano and now Hodgson has declared that he wants the player's future to be decided by Sunday.

"I wouldn't want to say he has played his last game for Liverpool," Hodgson said, according to Sky Sports. "The negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs and if he had played here it might have prejudiced the transfer and I didn't wish to do that to the player.

"I am seriously hoping that in the next couple of days it will be sorted out one way or another - although I have no idea which way that will be.

"Thursday night was out of the question but Sunday is very much a question because I think by then I should know one way or another whether he is going to play for Liverpool this season or Barcelona."

It is believed that Liverpool wants €30.5 million for the former River Plate midfielder.

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