Christian Poulsen Liverpool FC move on hold until Javier Mascerano deal goes through
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/08/11/christian-poulsen-liverpool-fc-move-on-hold-until-javier-mascerano-deal-goes-through-92534-27038463/CHRISTIAN POULSEN’S move to Anfield has hit a stumbling block with Liverpool unable to afford his arrival until Javier Mascherano departs.
Discussions have been ongoing with Juventus midfielder Poulsen after the player was earmarked as a replacement for the wantaway Mascherano.
The 30-year-old, who it is understood has been offered a three-year contract, was given permission to withdraw from Denmark’s squad for the game against Germany after Liverpool agreed a fee of around £6million for his services.
However, the deal can only go through once funds have been raised by the departure of Mascherano, the saga of which took another twist yesterday. Follow our Twitter LFC updates by clicking here.
The Argentine informed Liverpool last month of his desire to leave and is strongly tipped to be reunited with former Anfield manager Rafael Benitez at Inter.
However, the Serie A side are stalling over a bid for the player, who has been handed a £25million price tag by Liverpool, because they have not yet raised sufficient funds by the sale of Mario Balotelli to Manchester City.
Now an agent representing Mascherano in Spain has stated the 26-year-old wants a move to Barcelona.
The Catalans were unable to prise the player away from Anfield last year but, having missed out of Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, may now be ready to test Liverpool’s resolve once again.
While Walter Tamer is Mascherano’s primary agent, Spain-based representative Horacio Zandonadi said: “The player and all of us would love him to be at the club.
“The numbers are close to half what Barca were being asked to pay for Fabregas.
“He has not renewed his contract (at Liverpool) and they promised that this year they would help him leave.
“We're talking about a much easier situation than last year.”
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard is confident Liverpool can banish the “horror” of last season as he looked ahead to a “new era” at the club.
The Anfield outfit suffered their worst Premier League campaign in more than a decade by finishing seventh, a failure compounded by early exits in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup before a semi-final exit in the Europa League.
Benitez departed Anfield shortly after the end of the season with his replacement, Roy Hodgson, facing a difficult task to raise morale around the club.
However, Hodgson has already helped persuade both Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay at Liverpool while signing Joe Cole on a free transfer.
And skipper Gerrard is in expectant mood ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener at home to Arsenal.
“It’s a great club and after speaking with Roy Hodgson I’m really pleased to see his plans for the club,” said the midfielder.
“It’s a new era now – we must forget about the horror of what happened last season and get this club back to where it belongs, which is the Champions League at the very least.”
Gerrard was particularly delighted with the capture of Cole and believes his England colleague can
“Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better,” said the 30-year-old.
“He used to shock us in training by doing footy tricks with a golf ball that most players can’t even do with a football.
“I really fancy Joe for the (player of the year) award this season.”
Dani Pacheco’s rise through the ranks at Liverpool has been confirmed with the Spanish youngster swapping the number 47 shirt for the number 12 jersey. The forward takes over the number from Fabio Aurelio after the Brazilian opted for the number six shirt on his return to the club.
