Inter make Mascherano enquiry

Posted on June 18, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano is considering a summer move from Liverpool to join Serie A and European champions Internazionale, his agent has confirmed (10/1 Liverpool – Premier League outright).

Mascherano is said to be considering his options after the Merseysiders suffered a poor campaign by their standards, finishing seventh and failing to secure Champions League football next season.

La Liga winners Barcelona have been looking at the Argentina captain for a few seasons, although they are in negotiations with Arsenal over a potential move for Cesc Fabregas which could deter them from signing Mascherano.

With former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez moving to the San Siro this summer, Mascherano could be keen to join his former boss, according to his agent Marco Piccioli.

He said: “We are evaluating the move hard and in the next few days we will have a new meeting to better establish the details of this transfer deal.

“It is no mystery that he is a player liked by Inter and by Benitez. There is nothing concrete at the moment, but we are in the talking phase.”

Mascherano is currently with the Argentina squad at the World Cup in South Africa with the side winning their first two games in Group B.

Diego Maradona’s men are one of the tournament favourites after showing some impressive performances, including a 4-1 romp over South Korea on Thursday thanks to a hat-trick form Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Mascherano has been a key member of the side playing the anchorman role in the middle of the field, allowing players like Lionel Messi to roam free and create chances.

The 25-year-old has not ruled out a move to Inter as has revealed that he is a big fan of the kind of football Benitez likes to play.

He said: “Would I follow Benitez? I don’t know.”

He added: “At the moment I really know little about my future.

“But of course with Benitez at Liverpool I experienced three incredible years. His football is my football.”

Argentina will face Greece (Greece 5/1 draw 13/5 Argentina 4/7 – match betting) in their final game in Group B and look like clear favourites to progress to the knockout stages of the competition.

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Rafa closes in on Inter post

Posted on June 7, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez appears to have wasted little time in moving on following his departure from Liverpool (10/1 2010/11 Premier League champions) last week by reportedly agreeing a deal to take over as the new manager of European champions Inter Milan.

Inter president Massimo Moratti has dropped a big hint that the Spanish coach will be installed as Jose Mourinho’s replacement at the San Siro and he is expected to be officially confirmed as their new boss in the next 48 hours.

Moratti told reporters in Italy: “The next few hours could be decisive. But we must ask (technical director Marco) Branca.”

Benitez will also reportedly take his Anfield assistant Mauricio Pellegrino, goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero and fitness coach Paco de Miguel with him to Italy, leaving Liverpool with plenty of holes to fill in their coaching staff when they do move to make an appointment.

It is believed Benitez has agreed a three-year deal with Inter, worth five million euros per season, as he looks to keep the Italian treble winners at the pinnacle of club and European football next season.

Benitez, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006 during his six-year tenure on Merseyside, was linked with a move to Serie A towards the end of last season but it was Juventus who were courting the former Valencia chief, but a deal failed to materialise and he has instead opted for Milan.

Meanwhile, Liverpool continue their search for a new boss with plenty of candidates said to be keen on taking the hot-seat despite the ongoing uncertainty over the club’s ownership.

American pair Tom Hicks and George Gillett continue to look for new investment but the lack of financial clout in the transfer market could affect who is eventually named new manager as there may not be much money to spend on new players.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson seems to be the top choice for the Reds and is totesport’s 6/4 favourite, but Kenny Dalglish (5/1), Martin O’Neill (3/1), Harry Redknapp (11/1) and Sven Goran Eriksson (10/1) are the other names in the frame at the minute.

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Inter target Benitez

Posted on June 6, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has revealed that the Italian giants are looking at Rafa Benitez (Liverpool 10/1 to win the Premier League) to be their next manager.

Moratti is currently scouting for a replacement for Jose Mourinho and the former Liverpool boss is being heavily linked with the job at the San Siro.

Benitez left the manager’s position at Anfield on Thursday and was reportedly given a £6m compensation package after his side were unable to qualify for the Champions League.

According to Moratti, talks with the former Valencia manager could happen as soon as next week.

He said: “I can only speak highly of him, because he is very talented.

“It’s true, we are leaning towards Benitez and in the next few days we’ll decide.”

Inter did the treble last season after winning the domestic cup, Serie A and the Champions League, beating Bayern Munich in the final.

Moratti will be looking for a manager who can continue the success that the club experienced under Mourinho, who has taken the job at Spanish giants Real Madrid.

He said: “I know Benitez has a good record against Jose Mourinho, I think he’s beaten him five times.

“That’s a sign he does his research, works well and above all does not get the big games wrong.

“It is also important that he has already made his mark in Europe. We want to achieve more in this area,” he added.

Meanwhile Liverpool are looking to fill the role left by Benitez, with a number of big names being linked with the job at Anfield.

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has declared his interest in the job after revealing he has been a lifelong fan of the club. Eriksson is 11/1 to be the next Permanent Liverpool manager.

Tottenham gaffer Harry Redknapp (9/1) has also been linked with the Merseyside club but is unlikely to leave the London club after helping the side reach Champions League qualification ahead of Liverpool.

Roy Hodgson (9/4f) is a likely candidate for the job, having helped Fulham reach the Europa League final. He has been linked with a move to a bigger club since the end of the domestic season.

Whoever takes over at Anfield will need to try and keep hold of the club’s top players as captain Steven Gerrard and prolific goalscorer Fernando Torres (14/1 to be top goalscorer at the World Cup) have been linked with moves to other clubs.