Poulsen Move On Hold Until Mascherano Departs

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.
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.”