Football Talk - Mascherano not for sale - Benitez - 10/06/09
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has stated that Javier Mascherano is not for sale at any price.
The midfielder's agent said on Tuesday that Mascherano would be happy to join Barcelona, should the European champions make an approach. And Benitez has confirmed that the agent, Walter Tamer, has informed him of interest from two clubs after the Argentine international's services.
However, the Reds' manager has no intention of selling Mascherano, and has warned any potential suitors off making a bid.
"Mascherano has no price," Benitez told the club's official website. "Barcelona could not afford to match his value to Liverpool football club. We do not want to sell and Javier is very happy here. I have spoken to Javier two or three times this summer - the last time was only last week - and he was very happy, very positive.
"He gave me the private number of his agent, Walter Tamer, and again the conversation was very positive and was all about football. Walter told me that two clubs with big, big names were asking after Mascherano - and I told him to forget it, that Javier was happy in Liverpool and he was not for sale. So I was surprised to see the agent's comments today.
"He has a long contract and any club can forget about bidding for him. They can offer £40m or even £50m, we don't want to sell."
