Javier Mascherano confirmed to Fcinternews.it microphones after the game against Italy that he was very close to move to Inter in the summer 2010 when Benitez was the coach of the team:
“Yes it is true that I was close to join Inter. Or I can say I was very close to join Inter. If I had liked joining the club? Now things went as they went.”
Source: Fcinternews.it