Roy Hodgson stays firm over Javier Mascherano transfer

Roy Hodgson insists Argentina international Javier Mascherano will only be sold if the club’s valuation of the player is met.

Mascherano has been the subject of intense transfer speculation in recent weeks with Barcelona and Inter Milan reportedly interested in securing the defensive midfielder’s signature.

Former Reds manager Rafael Benítez is a keen admirer of Mascherano and is eager to acquire his services for Inter.

The arrival of Christian Poulsen at Anfield appeared to pave the way for Mascherano’s exit, but Hodgson on Wednesday insisted talk of the 26-year-old moving abroad was premature.

“We haven’t had an offer for him,” said the Liverpool manager. “We want an offer that meets what we think is his value, and Javier is perfectly happy with this.

“He doesn’t expect the club to just let him walk out of here. He hopes that a club comes in where he could be reunited with his family, which is the major problem for him, that offers us what he is worth and we accept that.

“But he has also made it clear that he doesn’t regard it as a hardship to play for Liverpool Football Club. In fact, it’s the reverse. It’s because of family matters that he wants to go.

He added: “He is resigned to one of two possibilities – either a club doesn’t come along and offer us his valuation, in which case he stays, or we have an offer that meets his valuation, in which case he may go.”