Masher & Pepe - New Contract Talks

[Frogfish]

Rafa Benitez has held 'positive talks' with Javier Mascherano over the midfielder's future at the club.

The No.20 has returned to top form in recent weeks following a summer of newspaper speculation and Argentina's struggles for World Cup qualification.

And Benitez said: "We were talking with him and his agent a month ago about our idea and his idea.

"He's doing really well and has come back to his best. We were really pleased to talk to him to make progress. We have plenty of time but we are happy with him and he is happier now, too.

"He has two more years on his contract, we were talking before and we will sit down sooner rather than later and talk about the future.

"The last conversations that we had were very positive."

Meanwhile, Benitez is hoping to tie up a new contract for Pepe Reina over the coming months.

"We are very happy with him," said the boss. "He has been improving every single year and he will improve more because goalkeepers have more time in their career.

"He's always positive and he's one of the best in the training sessions because his attitude is always good.

"It depends on the agent and what the player wants but Pepe is very happy here in Liverpool so I don't see a big problem.

"The teammates love him because he's a very good example."

 

[Judge Jules]

I'm a big fan of both these guys, who are top players and vital to our set-up, but I thought that they'd already had salary increases and that those had had to come out of the money promised to Rafa for transfers. What have I missed/misread?

 

[jimmy]

JJ, I think there were talks of new contracts and pay rise for both. Nothing sealed yet.
If I remember correctly Pepe was on ~50K and Mascherano on a mere 30K. Both were aobut to be offered ~80-90K (each...).
I love both players, and see them as essential to our team (not discussing money now). However, Mascherano will be much more valuable if partnered with a top creative CM.

 

[Skullflower]

these 2 signing new contracts would be brilliant. it would surprise me, though, as there's every chance we won't play in the champions league for another 2 years.

 

[manwithnoname]

As long as we secure the long-term contracts of Lucarse, Insua and Eggnog, all will be well

 

[vantage]

There goes the transfer budget again.

 

[Terrier]

I thought Reina already signed a new deal a few weeks ago.

 

[Bradley]

[quote author=vantage link=topic=37723.msg1007672#msg1007672 date=1260123621]
There goes the transfer budget again.
[/quote]

X 2

But we need to secure these two so we don't get shafted in the summer if the surge for forth spot falters.

 

[Squiggles]

Reina will stay regardless, there's not much rush.

Javier? Hmm, I dunno. If Barca came in for him I think he would leave, and who can blame him, really?

 

[Ryan]

Good. Now we'll get 30M odd for Mascherano when we sell him.

 

[Garmy]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=37723.msg1007691#msg1007691 date=1260126028]
I thought Reina already signed a new deal a few weeks ago.
[/quote]
This.

??? Again ???

 

[Biggus Dickus]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=37723.msg1007691#msg1007691 date=1260126028]
I thought Reina already signed a new deal a few weeks ago.
[/quote]

No we were starting talks but it's on delay because Rafa needs to sell some shite players before we can afford to increase Pepe's. We are fucking skint in other words.