Read more about Liverpool.
Fresh twist in Kuyt and Masch deals
Liverpool, 11:00, August 26, 2010 ,
Liverpool could lose two key first-team stars to Rafa Benitez's Inter with Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano wanted by the Italians.
The futures of both Kuyt and Mascherano at Anfield remain uncertain amid reports on Thursday saying Inter have now made an official approach for Mascherano, while Kuyt's agent has been quoted as saying the Dutchman also wants to move to the Serie A giants and team up with former Reds boss Benitez.
All this comes despite Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson insisting Benitez has signed an agreement which said he would not poach any of his former players for his new club and Inter president Massimo Moratti, a close friend of Hodgson, verbally saying they would not make a bids for Liverpool players.
However, it now seems the Serie A giants have made an approach for Mascherano, while Kuyt's agent has been quoted as saying he wants to join in him in Milan.
"I sent an offer to Liverpool by fax on Tuesday and am waiting for a reply from them," Nerazzurri sporting director Marco Branca has said.
"We're not speaking to the player at the moment because we want to do this in the right way and make sure that Liverpool are happy.
"Everybody knows that Mascherano would like to change team and to change country. He also has a good relationship with our manager Rafa Benitez. We've made a very good offer, around the amount they are asking for. We have a strong team here, the best in Europe, but we would like to add one or two players to make us even stronger."
Meanwhile, Kuyt's Rob Jansen said of his future: "The clubs (Inter and Liverpool) continue to talk but Dirk has told Liverpool he no longer wants to be involved as this is something that regards his career and life.
"It doesn't mean he wants to leave at all costs but when a club like Inter comes along it's normal to look into it further."