Benitez: Mascherano not for sale even for 50m

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez yesterday warned Barcelona that no amount of money could prise midfielder Javier Mascherano from Anfield.

The Argentine ball-winner’s agent has encouraged talk of a move to the European champions by declaring his client would welcome a switch.

But Benitez has sought to end speculation about Mascherano’s future by insisting the 25-year-old is happy on Merseyside. “Mascherano has no price. Barcelona could not afford to match his value to Liverpool Football Club. We do not want to sell and Javier is very happy here,” said Benitez. “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.”

Benitez said that he had already informed Mascherano’s agent Walter Tamer that the player was not for sale this summer.

“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,” added Benitez. “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.”

Benitez also faces a battle to keep Mascherano’s central midfield colleague Xabi Alonso, who is a £24m target for Real Madrid.