What’s the story?
Javier Mascherano is set for a move to China according to reports in SPORT. The Spanish publication report that Barcelona are ready to sell the Argentine in the summer to make way for young defenders.
The same report also suggests that Mascherano is seriously considering various offers from China. Tianjin Quanjian, Shanghai SIPG and Guangzhou Evergrande are said to be clubs interested in signing the former Liverpool man.
In case you didn’t know...
Mascherano joined River Plate's academy in 1999 at the age of 15. He played 2 seasons for the club's first-team before joining Brazilian side, Corinthians. Alan Pardew identified his talents and signed him up at West Ham United in 2006 with Carlos Tevez. He established himself as one of the best holding midfielders in the league after moving to Liverpool.
Barcelona signed Mascherano in the summer of 2010 from Liverpool. The Spanish side had paid €24 million for him, and reports suggest that they are looking for the same amount to sell him this summer.
Despite playing regularly as holding midfielder for Liverpool and all his former teams, he was turned into a centre-back at Barcelona. He managed to score his first goal for the club against Osasuna on 26th April 2017 – almost seven years after joining them!
The Argentine renewed his contract at Barcelona in October 2016 until 2019. However, his desire is to end his career at River Plate. The defender-midfielder is thinking of taking another step before making a return to Argentina.
The heart of the matter
Barcelona are set for a squad overhaul in the summer and are looking to sign young talents. Davison Sanchez, Marquinhos and Thoe Hernandez have been linked with the club. Mascherano believes that he will not be able to play regularly at Camp Nou and is looking for a move away. The club are also trying to sell him off in the summer.
The defender's original plans were to return to River Plate and end his career there. However, the tempting offers he has received from China ha turned his head. He now wants to join a Chinese Super League side in the summer and continue playing regularly. He desires to represent his country in the World Cup next year and is ready to leave Barcelona to get more game time.
What’s next?
Mascherano is all set to leave Camp Nou in the summer and join a Chinese Super League side. The Catalan side are looking to free up space for young talents and are in talks with several defenders.
Author’s Take
It's a good move for all if it happens. Mascherano will get to play regularly, Barcelona will get some amount to spend on other players, and the Chinese Super League will get a lot more attraction.
