Liverpool want £18m cash for Masch

Liverpool have told Barcelona they want £18million in cash for midfielder Javier Mascherano by the end of the weekend, so manager Roy Hodgson can reinvest the money during the transfer window.

The Merseyside club have reluctantly accepted that Mascherano wants to leave, and the Argentina captain will not be with the squad who fly to Turkey for Europa League duty this morning.

But Liverpool have told Barca they want to recoup the money they paid West Ham for Mascherano three years ago and that a deal must be done soon or they will withdraw from negotiations.

With Hodgson aware of suggestions in Italy that a £13m bid from Inter Milan for forward Dirk Kuyt is imminent, the Liverpool boss knows there is much to resolve before the summer transfer window closes on August 31.

If Mascherano does go, Hodgson would try to buy PSV striker Ola Toivonen and a left back. As such, Liverpool have told Barcelona they will entertain only a straight cash deal for Mascherano.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.