Quote Catalancs="Catalancs"Sorry, should have been more specific. The owner (Mansour?) has finally agreed to let him go and the deal could be done in the January transfer window. The deal had been expexcted to be done in the summer.
Benitez hoped to be able to persuade Mascherano to stay, but the Argentine is determined to elave and could also join in January. He wouldn't be eligible for the Champions League, but he'd act as cover for Keita and Toure Yaya when they go to the African Nations.
Cover!
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IMO, Barca's interest in Mascherano was originally used to force Yaya Toure into staying. From what I understand, he only signed a one year extension to his deal, right? If so, I'd expect a similar situation to arise this summer. Am I right in saying Henry is out of contract this summer, or is it next? Either way, I think Pep has wanted somebody for that left side since he came in. They've been interested in Silva and Ribery amongst many others over the past year or so, Robinho would be a decent signing.
I do worry with how Barca will develop under Guardiola, they look class but I dunno, I worry about the ego's of certain players at the club. You seen what happened with Rijkaard.
If we do sell Mascherano, well, it will be for more than we sold Alonso for.
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