Roy Hodgson keen to replace Mascherano with Steven Defour

The Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is keen to join his old boss Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan, and the Reds new boss Roy Hodgson has targeted the Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour as the first-choice to replace him.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Hodgson will be able to buy the experienced Belgian international for about half the amount to be gained from Mascherano, which will give him a bit more funds to chase other targets.

Liege had an awful season in Belgium last year, but weren’t helped by Defours long-term injury. Reports say that the lack of European football this season has persuaded Defour it is time for him to move on, and the Premiership was always going to be his first choice.