Barca reiterate Masch admiration
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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reiterated the European champions' interest in Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano.
The Argentine is highly rated by the Catalan club as they look to reinforce ahead of the defence of an unprecedented Treble.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is desperate to hold onto the defence-minded Mascherano, an international team-mate of Barcelona star Lionel Messi, and insists he is not for sale at any price.
But Laporta, who handed holding midfielder Yaya Toure a new contract on Saturday, remains a fan of the 25-year-old and could yet consider making the Premier League Reds an offer.
He told icat FM: "Mascherano is a close friend of Leo Messi. We will see what happens. He's a player I like very much."
Mascherano has previously confessed he is uncertain if his long-term future lies on Merseyside to increase speculation he could leave Anfield when his contract expires.
Real Madrid have also been linked with the ex-West Ham, River Plate and Corinthians player as the Bernabeu giants continue their lavish spending.
teamtalk
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if alonso and masherano were to leave liverpool, their midfield really depleted.
BPL and CL title challenge is over before season started