by inglis5 » Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:56 pm
Article from Setanta
"Javier Mascherano has urged Tom Hicks and George Gillett to end his Liverpool limbo one way or the other, with the Argentinian midfielder admitting that the delay over a deal has now made it ‘more difficult’ to realise his dream of moving to Anfield on a permanent basis.
Mascherano’s 18-month loan deal is set to expire in June and Rafa Benitez has made no secret of how keen he is to ensure that the Argentina international becomes a long-term fixture in his squad, avoiding the clutches of reported suitors Manchester City and Barcelona in the process.
Co-owners Gillett and Hicks have so far failed to agree on a £17 million deal with the player’s owners MSI though, and Mascherano has warned the uncertainty must be ended soon if he is to join the Merseyside club permanently.
"It's simple," said Mascherano. "With the time that has passed it will now be more difficult for me to stay here because I need to do something about my future.
"It is a really difficult situation because I have been talking a lot about how I want to stay here but, now, it doesn't depend on me.
"I have done everything to stay but now the owners have to decide if they want to buy me or not. They have to decide."
What is clear is that Mascherano is determined to remain a Liverpool player as he has proved himself one of The Premier League’s finest holding midfielders at Anfield, putting the nightmare of his spell at West Ham last season behind him.
"I have to say thank you to everyone at Liverpool because I feel like this is my home," he added.
"It is difficult for me because I have gone from being at West Ham, where it wasn't good for me, to Liverpool, where I am really happy.
"I want to stay but it doesn't depend on me and it will be difficult because of the amount of time that has passed and I need to do something about my future."
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He was brilliant again on Sunday, signing him up should be the number 1 transfer priority for this club...
