Liverpool Reject €20 Million Javier Mascherano Bid From Barcelona

Barcelona have reportedly tabled a bid of around €20 million for wantaway Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano but it has been rejected by the Merseysiders according to radio station RAC1.

Over the weekend Reds coach Roy Hodgson intimated that he was informed by Massimo Moratti that there would be no approach from Inter for the Argentina captain but it appears that the Catalan outfit is still in the race to prise the 26-year-old away from Anfield.

The offer tabled by the Blaugrana is believed to be an initial €15 million payment with a further €5 million in variables but Liverpool are understood to have placed a value of €26 million on Mascherano. Hodgson has already gone on record as stating that the defensive midfielder is aware that he will not be leaving the club if an appropriate fee is not received.

Despite Hodgson already declaring that 'Masch' would be in contention to feature against fellow title hopefuls Manchester City on Monday night, AS has claimed that he will not play at Eastlands as talks between the clubs continue.