Javier Mascherano's agent has made it clear that the Argentine midfielder would jump at the chance to join Barcelona.
Mascherano has been linked with a move to the European champions, and agent Walter Tamer claims his client would be very keen.
"If a club like Barcelona want to bring you into their ranks after having completed such a brilliant season and having won everything, obviously as a player, you are going to say, 'Yes, I want to play there,'" he told RAC-1 programme 'Tu Diras'.
"It is an honour for Javier that a club like Barca pay such close attention to him, especially after the incredible season they had. I believe that a transfer would be feasible. If Barca really want him, he will sign for them.
"He would have a very easy job at Barca. Sometimes we talk and joke that the only thing he has to do is run, rob the ball, and pass it on to all the superstars in front of him."
But Tamer does admit that the move could be made more difficult if Liverpool agree to sell Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.
"What if Xabi Alonso also leaves? Surely, Rafael Benitez would not want to have both his central midfielders go. It will be difficult, although Xabi's future does not depend on Mascherano and vice-versa.
"The transaction would certainly happen, but the first to leave will have more options."
Your Comments
quint
"Rafa has just come out on the official Liverpool website and said that Mascherano is not for sale at any price. FACT."
gizmoney
"The touchiness of Liverpool fans is incredible. If Mascherano leaves he might actually win something. Last time I checked pyric victories give no medals."
red_til_i_die
"From the echo. This should finally put this story to bed. RAFAEL BENITEZ today warned Barcelona to drop their interest in Javier Mascherano because ¿even "£50m would not be enough to sign him.¿
Warning bells rang at Anfield today when the Argentine international's agent appeared to be paving the way for a bid from Barca.
Walter Tamer, Mascherano's representative, said: ¿It is an honour for Javier that a club like Barca pay such close attention to him.
¿He would have a very easy job there.
"Sometimes we talk and joke that the only thing he has to do is run, rob the ball and pass it on to all the superstars in front of him.¿
Benitez was so concerned by the reports that he cut short a family holiday today to issue a clear hands-off warning to the Catalan club.
¿Mascherano has no price,¿ he declared.
¿Barcelona could not afford to match his value to Liverpool Football Club.
¿We do no want to sell and Javier is very happy here."
Nizm
"RayneWooney - quite, it's almost as if footballers are too stupid to realise that agents get rich by selling them on"
RayneWooney
"isankomo... I don't even know where to begin with this..
so I'm not going to... however, I do love the last line in this piece
"The transaction would certainly happen, but the first to leave will have more options."
oooh you dirty agent scumbag!!"
mad_iguana
"Nice one, llcooljoel, that was funny!
Almost thought you were serious for a second!"
isankomo
"LIVERPOOL FAN BASED IN SOUTH AFRICA LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE THE BEST 5 LIVERPOOL STARS SHINNING IN SA. BUT THEREFORE I WOULD LIKE TO SAY RAFA DONT SELL ANY OF THE POOL PLAYERS THIS SUMMER COZ THEY ARE IN THEIR BEST NEXT SEASON ITS FOR US THE POOLS,CHELSEA.MANYOO AND ARSENAL BE CARE COZ IT WILL BE TOUGH WITH EL NINO,STEVIE,KUYT AND BENAYOUN.WE HAVE TO SIGN ONLY 2 PLAYERS LIKE BARRY AND VILLA OR SILVA"
siguy604
"Oh my whats this ?
The Reds players jumping ship already. Damn, by the sounds of this its not good. Best of luck to you Liverpool to keep the faith and hope the team can stay together.
"
llcooljoel
"mad_iguana: actually there's only you getting all frothed up here, having looked back I can't find a single post from a Liverpool fan getting "upset" over the story. The responses have pretty much exclusively been measured and matter of fact regarding Mascherano's agent's comments, the Lucas rant notwithstanding...."
mad_iguana
"Why do you Liverpool fans get upset about the PRESENCE of a story about your team?
Want to know why it's top story? Because it's fun watching the reactions of Liverpool fans.
Everyone knows that it's the kind of rubbish that happens all the time at this stage of the year, but look on the transfer blog - what other story would you have at the top?
And don't say Kaka to Real; that's old news by now, and not worthy of a lead item.
It's not even a World Record transfer, when you use the actual currency it's been conducted in (euros).
Now when Ronaldo's agent comes out and says something similar about him wanting to move to Real, I hop all the same Liverpool fans come out and point out what a rubbish story that is too!"
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