Rafa Benitez still interested in Liverpool FC Javier Mascherano swoop

Javier Mascherano and Rafa Benitez 300RAFA BENITEZ has refused to rule out returning to Anfield with a swoop for Javier Mascherano after being unveiled as Inter manager.The former Liverpool boss faced the media in Italy yesterday and was immediately grilled on who he would add to a squad that won the Champions League last season.Predictably, Benitez - as was the case during his time on Merseyside - would not speak about players from other clubs nor would he talk in detail about the Reds.However, there is little doubt Benitez will attempt to lure Mascherano to the San Siro once the midfielder's World Cup campaign with Argentina is over. Though it looked as if Mascherano would sign a contract extension with Liverpool, his future has been shrouded in doubt for some time since talks stalled in April.What's more, Benitez and Mascherano have a close relationship and, clearly, they would jump at the chance to work with each other again if the chance arose.Mascherano, perhaps mischievously, admitted after Argentina's win over Nigeria at the weekend that he has been learning to speak Italian during his time in South Africa.He also revealed in an interview earlier this month that his wife has been unable to settle in Liverpool, factors that mean his likely to end his Reds career this summer.Liverpool paid £18.6m to sign Mascherano in January 2008 after he had spent a successful 12-month spell at the club on loan.If they do sanction his sale, they would be looking for a fee in the region of £30m for a player who is widely regarded as the best in his position in the world.

Source: Liverpool_Echo