Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano edging closer to Inter switch - report

Mascherano & Ozil - Argentina-Germany - World Cup 2010 (Getty Images)
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Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is slowly making progress towards a move to Inter as he waits on the Premier League club to assess its options.

Il Corriere dello Sport reports Liverpool director Eduardo Macia is in Italy and has spoken with Nerazzurri chiefs in relation to Mascherano, who is eager to team up with former coach Rafael Benitez.

Before Mascherano leaves Anfield though, Liverpool have to sign his replacement, and Juventus' Christian Poulsen is Merseyside-bound after the club reportedly offered the Bianconeri £5 million for the Dane.

On Tuesday Poulsen's agent said he was "interested" in moving to Anfield, having been coached by their new manager Roy Hodgson 10 years ago at Copenhagen. Poulsen has been placed on the transfer market by Juve and is likely to leave.

Inter director Marco Branca is now pondering an offer between £17m and £21m for Mascherano. The Nerazzurri are likely to use negotiations for the Argentinian as an opportunity to enquire about Dirk Kuyt, who is also wanted by Benitez.

The other target is Genoa's Giuseppe Sculli. The hitman is said to be close to completing a £5m switch to San Siro, with the next few days pivotal in negotiations.

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