KopStuff 31/5/10 - Wilson Move Under Threat / Mascherano Move Off?

Monday 31st May.

Danny Wilson move under threat / Inter’s Moratti: ‘Rafa is good’


Just a day to go before Fabio Capello names his final twenty-three man World Cup squad, and a number of current and former Reds will be waiting anxiously by the phone. Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson would look certainties, with former keeper David James assured of a spot, if not a starting position. Jamie Carragher looks likely to be on the plane, as does Peter Crouch, but former players Emile Heskey and Stephen Warnock will be hugely worried. Warnock failed to play in England’s final two warm up games, and the big striker was guilty of some woeful misses against Japan.

Still, there’s always 2014 boys.

News: The worst kept secret of the summer has finally been revealed, with Jose Mourinho installed as Real Madrid manager. Interesting quotes from Reuters about the resultant vacancy at Inter, with president Massimo Moratti revealing his admiration for Red’s gaffer, Rafa Benitez. In what is either good news or bad news, depending on your stance, Moratti states that whilst he has always thought that Rafa was ‘good’, he is also ‘tied to Liverpool’. Statements like this can only help quash the tabloid rumour mill, and help the Red’s management team and board prepare for next season – although it would be nice to hear this kind of commitment from inside the club itself.

News: The Daily Mail continues it’s daily coverage of the Danny Wilson saga. Readers will remember that the move has been off for ‘homegrown eligibilty’ concerns, financial concerns, and now it would appear, because the Red’s offer is too low. Rangers manager Walter Smith has confirmed that a concrete offer from Anfield has been turned down, as it does not match the club’s valuation of the 18 year old defender. The bid is believed to be in the offer of £2million, which is substantially more than the Ibrox club will receive if the teenager walks out at the end of his contract in twelve months time.

Rumour: More from the Mail, with reports that Barcelona are to ditch plans for a big-money bid for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano. The Spanish side have long been linked with the tough tackling midfielder, but the suggestion is that they have moved their attentions to Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas. Any move for Fabregas would cost Barca in excess of £40million, making a further £30million bid for Mascherano highly unlikely.