West Ham United Football Club News

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

Mascherano desperate to leave

03 Jan 2007 - 12:07:24

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West Ham United midfielder Javier Mascherano has spoken of his desire to leave the Premiership strugglers this month after failing to settle at Upton Park.

The 22-year-old Argentina international has only made five Premiership appearances for the Hammers and is growing increasingly frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities under new boss Alan Curbishley.

"I have to leave," he told Spanish regional daily Equipo.

"I can't spend any more time like this, without playing. I can't allow my career to go stagnant at my age.

"I came to England in order to succeed, but I have not been given the chances I need to do so."

Liverpool and Real Zaragoza have been linked with Mascherano but Juventus have distanced themselves from the player.

"It won't be possible for us to sign him," said the Serie B side's sporting director Alessio Secco.

"We have had to end our interest in him due to his complicated contractual situation."