INTER MILAN are ready to step up their attempts to prise Dirk Kuyt away from Anfield by making a formal offer for the Liverpool forward.

The European champions contacted the Reds last Thursday with a fax asking about Kuyt’s availability but were robustly told that he is not for sale.

However, former Reds boss Rafa Benitez is desperate to take Kuyt to the San Siro and it is understood that Inter’s sporting director Marco Branca has subsequently been in contact with Liverpool over the matter.

Kuyt is aware of Inter’s interest in him but at no stage has he ever asked Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson – or the Anfield board – for a move.

The Holland international is only 12 months into a new long-term contract but Kuyt – who has been a Liverpool player since 2006 – is equally respectful of the role Benitez has played in his career.

It would take a massive offer for Liverpool to even begin thinking of doing business on a player who cost them £9m when he joined from Feyenoord.

Wesley Sneijder, Kuyt’s team-mate in the Dutch national team, is desperate for a deal to go through and has told NOS TV – Holland’s equivalent of the BBC – he would be welcomed at the San Siro with open arms.

“If the clubs can agree over the transfer of Kuyt the (Inter Milan) players will look forward to seeing him within a week,” said Sneijder.

“Hopefully he can be here before the transfer window closes. Dirk knows what he can expect if he comes here.”

Kuyt was set to travel with Liverpool’s squad to Turkey today for the second leg of their Europa League play-off with Trabzonspor.

One notable omission, though, was Javier Mascherano, who refused to play in Monday night’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.

The Argentine midfielder trained at Melwood yesterday with a small group of players who had sat out the game at Eastlands.

He has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures for the action he took but it is now almost inevitable Mascherano will join Barcelona.

Barca manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he is looking for a defensive minded midfielder but would not comment when pressed on Mascherano.

“If a defensive midfielder arrives the needs of the team will be resolved,” he said.

“If one arrives I will be satisfied.

“You’ll have to ask (Andoni) Zubizarreta (Barca’s sporting director).

“I will only speak about (Mascherano) when he’s here, if he comes.”