Javier Mascherano is a quality player. Liverpool want to keep him but, as everyone knows, they don’t really own him. The Argentinian midfield bulldog says he wants to stay, but clearly the unsettled atmosphere at Anfield is going to make him think again, and his grasping agent will milk the player for all he is worth. Now it seems that Newcastle and Man United are preparing bids (The Sun).

A fee of £17m has been constantly hung over Javier’s head and clearly he has expressed his desire to stay. However, a whole host of clubs are interested in the 23-year-old, not just in the Premier League, but also the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Inter.

If Rafa Benitez stays – and he deserves to keep his job – then Mascherano I am sure will stay true to the Reds. However, the next few weeks will be crucial. Messrs Hicks and Gillett need to show some respect to Benitez and get behind him before this whole season is wasted!

‘The Argentinian midfield bulldog says he wants to stay, but clearly the unsettled atmosphere at Anfield is going to make him think again.’


Tottenham boss Juande Ramos is apparently in talks with Barcelona about a potential bid for Yaya Toure (various). The Ivorian was previously a target for Arsenal who already have Yaya’s brother Kolo on board.

The defensive midfielder joined the Spanish side in the summer, but recent turmoil at the Nou Camp, along with growing uncertainty over the future of Frank Rijkaard, has led to many players being linked with moves. Newcastle and Man City are also said to be sniffing around the 24-year-old Yaya, who is clearly the kind of player Tottenham could do with. Under Ramos, the White Hart Lane club is a much healthier proposition.

Kevin Keegan wants striker Dean Ashton to join Newcastle from West Ham (Daily Mirror). Special K's return to Tyneside has sparked a mass of rumours, of which some are true, some are plausible and some are ridiculous. This one falls into the category of possible, much like the David Bentley rumour.

There is no doubting Ashton’s class and, injuries aside, he would be a far bigger name than he is now. Apparently, Celtic are considering him a possible target, but I am fairly certain he will stay with the Hammers. Firstly, he will be keen to repay the club for the faith they showed when they forked out £7m for him in 2006. Also, he would want to show the fans exactly what he can do once he gets a season under his belt.

Make no mistake, the former Norwich man is a 20-goal-a-season striker who really should be higher up in the England pecking order – much like team-mate Robert Green he is being unfairly treated for playing for a supposedly inferior club, which is ridiculous.