Finally the on-off saga of the transfer of Javier Mascherano from West Ham United to Liverpool is over. It required a little intervention from world football’s governing body FIFA in order for the mover to happen.

Mascherano had been registered with and played for two clubs in 12 months, which is the maximum allowed. However FIFA ruled that the seasons were not concurrent and that Mascherano would be allowed to move to Liverpool. This had to be agreed by the Premier League and today they have given the Merseyside club the green light, and Mascherano will be available for the Champions League game against Barcelona.