Juventus are set to approach Barcelona for a summer move for the versatile Javier Mascherano, as per reports.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Juventus are interested in Javier Mascherano and are set to approach Barcelona for a move for the versatile Argentina international when the transfer window opens in June.
Mascherano has been a pivotal figure for Barcelona ever since he joined the Catalan club from Liverpool in a €24 million move in 2010. Nearly seven years into the move, and it can safely be said that it has been a resounding success for the Argentina international as well as the club.
Mascherano has already amassed more than 300 appearances for Barcelona, and has been one of the regular faces in the Blaugrana lineup, having developed immensely in his peak years. He has also won 16 trophies along the way, including four La Liga and two Champions League titles.
Most impressively, though, Mascherano has proven himself to be a big asset for Barcelona thanks to his versatility. That is because, despite his more natural ability to be deployed in the midfield, the Argentine has done a remarkable job at Nou Camp, given the fact that a major portion of his appearances have come in the central defence.
The 2016/17 season, though, has seen Mascherano being pegged back by a spate of injuries, restricting the Argentina international to 23 appearances in all competitions. Despite that, though, Juventus are eager to sign the Argentina international in the summer.
The Bianconeri have been long-time admirers of Mascherano, and have identified him as the ideal player to add steel to their midfield, alongside mainstays like Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira. The Juventus officials believe that Mascherano can, in fact, further improve what is an already formidable squad in Turin.
Furthermore, with both Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini linked with moves away from the Juventus Stadium in the summer, the possible acquisition of Mascherano could also see the Bianconeri add another experienced and cultured option to their defensive line.
The report states that despite Mascherano having more than two years to run on his contract, he may be deemed surplus to requirements at Camp Nou in the summer, with Barcelona eyeing a major overhaul following Luis Enrique’s impending departure at the end of the season.
The La Liga leaders also intend to lighten their wage bill in the summer, and Mascherano seems to be a player who fits into that category of players who need to be sold. However, Lionel Messi’s presence at Camp Nou could yet see Mascherano remain with the Catalan club.
It now remains to be seen if Juventus make a concrete offer Mascherano in the summer, and if Barcelona are indeed interested in selling the Argentine.
