Liverpool in Talks to Sell Mascherano to Inter, Guardian Says: Roundup

The following is a roundup of soccer stories from U.K. newspapers, with clickable links to the Web.

Mascherano for Inter?

Liverpool is in talks with Inter Milan to sell midfielder Javier Mascherano for 25 million pounds ($38.2 million), the Guardian said.

New manager Roy Hodgson warned Liverpool supporters that the club needs several signings to remove the “doom and gloom” of last season, when the team finished seventh in the Premier League. By going to Inter, Mascherano would be reunited with former manager Rafael Benitez.

Doubt Over Torres

Fernando Torres has yet to commit to staying at Liverpool, the Sun said.

Torres has been talking with managing director Christian Purslow for the last two days, Hodgson told the newspaper, but has yet to speak to the manager or say he’ll remain at the club.

Sunderland Wants James

Sunderland is trying to sign England goalkeeper David James even amid interest from Fulham and Celtic, the Daily Mail reported.

Coach Steve Bruce had considered making a short-term offer for the former Portsmouth and Liverpool player after Sunderland’s Craig Gordon broke his arm, though now he’s thinking of a longer-term deal after Ipswich made a bid for backup Marton Fulop.

West Ham Target

West Ham is leading the bidding for Nice striker Loic Remy after increasing its offer to 13 million pounds, the Mail reported. Several clubs, including Liverpool, are considering trying to sign the player.

Nice general manager Patrick Governatori said the new offer “suits us. If Liverpool want him, we need clear arrangements and commitments.”

Liverpool is considering offering Nabil El Zhar and midfielder Damien Plessis, valued at about 700,000 pounds each, along with cash to fund the 14 million-pound valuation of Remy, the Daily Mirror said.

Hodgson is trying to conserve cash to buy additional defenders after losing Emiliano Insua and Fabio Aurelio, the newspaper said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Christopher Elser in London at celser@bloomberg.net.