Rafa Benitez wants his former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano to be his first signing as Inter Milan coach.

The Times says Mascherano could follow Benítez to Inter Milan after the Italian club made the Liverpool midfield player a transfer target.

The 26-year-old has been a near ever-present in protecting the back four since being signed by Benítez for about £18 million three years ago after an unhappy spell at West Ham United, where he was on loan.

The Argentina captain attracted interest from Barcelona a year ago, but the transfer proved too difficult to negotiate.