Stalling Liverpool set to lose Argentina maestro Mascherano as Juventus prepare to pounce

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The Anfield club have stalled over finding the £17million needed to make the former West Ham misfit's loan deal permanent and Juventus are ready to open negotiations over a summer move.

Mascherano, who will become the first casualty of Anfield's boardroom disharmony, said: "I would love to stay here (in Liverpool). I have tried and I've adapted to the city very well."

"But the clubs that are talking are also important and I would like to go," the 23-year-old told an Argentinian radio station.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is keen to hold on to the former West Ham midfielder, whose loan from Kia Joorabchian's MSI runs out in the summer. But Benitez has been unable to secure funding from the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and Mascherano's agent Walter Tamer this week cleared the way for a move.

"Liverpool have not made any offer at all to buy Javier and it is likely that he will go to Italy next season," said Tamer.

AC Milan are also interested. Wherever he ends up, he is set to miss most of August after emerging as a surprise contender to represent Argentina at the Olympics.

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Hand off: Mascherano (right) may be joining Kaka at AC Milan

The 2004 gold medallists intend to take their strongest possible side to Beijing and are allowed to name three over-age players as part of an Under 23 squad.

Mascherano, who will be 24 in June, is set to be one of the relative veterans alongside Boca Juniors' 29-year-old playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and Bayern Munich defender Martin Demechelis, 27.

The trio have been called up for a friendly against Guatemala, to be played in Los Angeles on February 6, when the man charged with selecting the Olympic squad, Sergio Batista, will be in charge instead of senior coach Alfio Basile.

Mascherano, who was part of the team who won gold in Athens four years ago, said: "I was not expecting it, but it is a tremendous joy."

Many expected Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez to be called up. But the wealth of young attacking talent has led to Batista to strengthen the backbone of the side, despite having Real Madrid's Fernando Gago and Valencia's Ever Banega as Under 23 alternatives to Mascherano.

Meanwhile, River Plate want to recruit Liverpool left winger Sebastian Leto.

The 21-year-old Argentine went to Anfield from Lanus for £1.9m last summer and River are prepared to pay a similar amount to tempt him back home following just four appearances this season.