Liverpool to sell Mascherano for £12m plus Alexander Hleb
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Report: Barcelona Agree Deal With Liverpool For Javier Mascherano
The Argentine midfielder is one step closer to joining the Blaugrana.
Javier Mascherano, Liverpool (Getty Images)Spanish giants Barcelona are set to land Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, after striking a deal with the Reds, according to reports.
The deal will be comprised of a player-plus-cash offer, with the Anfield outfit set to receive midfielder Aliaksandr Hleb and approximately €15 million for the Argentina captain, according to Ole.
The report also claims that the player's agent has already met with Barcelona officials, and confirmation of the deal could come in the next few days.
Mascherano had recently expressed his desire to leave the Reds and join the Spanish side, or reunite with former coach Rafael Benitez at European champions Inter.
The Blaugrana were seeking another midfielder, after Yaya Toure departed the Camp Nou for Manchester City during the summer. -
Javier Mascherano nears Liverpool exit with Barcelona set to bag midfielder for £12m plus Alexander Hleb
Bargain? Mascherano (left) could fetch just £12m plus Hleb (right) from Barca
Barcelona are closing in on a deal for Javier Mascherano that would see Alexander Hleb move in the opposite direction to Liverpool.
Sources in Argentina claim an agreement between all parties has been all but agreed for a player who is desperate to leave Anfield for a new challenge abroad.
Trusted Argentine paper Ole says Mascherano will move for just £12million plus 29-year-old Hleb, who has failed to break into Barca's star-studded team since moving from Arsenal two years ago.
Wants out: Javier Mascherano told new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson of his intentions to leave Anfield after the midfielder's return from the World Cup
On his return from the World Cup, Mascherano told new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson that he wanted to leave.
Former Anfield boss Rafa Benitez wanted to take him to Inter Milan, but the European champions have balked at the asking price and indicated they would could not launch a move unless Maicon left for Real Madrid.
The Italians may, however, make a move once Mario Balotelli's move to Manchester City is concluded.
Barcelona have reignited interest they first showed last summer and see Mascherano as the ideal replacement for Yaya Toure, who joined Manchester City for £24m.
An agent purporting to represent Mascherano in Spain admitted this week that the player was desperate to move to the Nou Camp and Barca boss Pep Guardiola has apparently approved the deal after talking to Lionel Messi about the Argentina captain.
Liverpool are prepared to sell for the right price, with boss Roy Hodgson already bringing in Christian Poulsen from Liverpool as a ready-made replacement.