Javier Mascherano looks set to leave Barcelona and join Juventus in a shock move.
Spanish newspaper AS are reporting that the Argentine international has made an "initial agreement" with the Italian champions. They claim that the deal is worth three-years, but will have to pay a substantial fee for the player that is under contract for another two seasons.
Mascherano was brought to Barcelona from Liverpool as a central midfielder but has since converted into one of the best central defenders in the World. Since joining in 2010, the 31-year-old has won four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues.
Such has been Mascherano's success in Spain, he was named Barcelona's Player of the Year in 2013-14. That same season Lionel Messi scored over 40 goals in all competitions.
If the Argentine defender joins Juventus, he will be joining a team who have won five Serie A titles in a row. Despite the AS reports, Spanish-based Irish journalist Dermot Corrigan believes that the move is a tactic from Mascherano to get a better deal from the Catalan giants.
Mascherano to Juve stuff has the look of push to get him new contract [two years left on current deal]. And extra headache for Barca board.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) May 25, 2016
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