Reds eye Mascherano deal
30 Jan 2007 - 07:58:19
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez remains confident of being able to clinch the loan signing of West Ham United midfielder Javier Mascherano.
The Reds will need to get around FIFA rules stipulating that a player cannot feature for three clubs within a calendar year, but Benitez is upbeat about the prospects of landing the 22-year-old Argentina international.
He said. "We have an agreement to take him on loan for 18 months, then we have an option to sign him permanently.
"He is a top-class player and played at the top level at the World Cup. The only question is whether he can play to his level in England, but I know he can play a lot better than he did at West Ham.
"Maybe Liverpool can be a better option for him because we can speak in Spanish to him and we play a different style of football that suits him better.
"Corinthians and River Plate are top sides in their countries and he is used to winning trophies. I think he will have more possibilities with us.
"We are waiting to hear from FIFA, but I hope we can sign Mascherano even if the transfer deadline passes."