Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has reached an agreement with Barcelona for an exit from the club. The Argentine international is looking to move away to the Chinese Super League joining Hebei China Fortune in a move that is valued at 10 million euro.
According to ESPN, two executives have been sent to the Catalan capital to see the move through. Further, the player’s agent Walter Tamer has acknowledged that Barcelona has accepted a fee of 10 million for the midfielder.
Under Valverde, the Barcelona defender has been given limited playing time. Post that an injury to the Argentine international meant that he would stay away from a little longer before returning to his squad.
On his return, Ernesto Valverde decided to play the Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen over the experienced defender.
When is the move to be finalised?
The move is most likely to be finalised and made official with the opening of the Chinese Transfer window. The Chinese window begins January 1st through to February 28, 2018, where we would witness the transfer of the midfielder.
With the move of the midfielder, Barcelona would reduce another high wage bill from the list. Mascherano reported earning 5.5 million euro per year at the club. Further reports from ESPN suggest that the midfielder would cash in 19 million euro for his two seasons in China.
Mascherano would join his fellow countryman Manuel Pellegrini, who is currently manning the Hebei bench.
An able replacement for the departing defender:
Barcelona meanwhile is looking to pocket home an eight-nine million deal for the Columbian defender Yerri Mina. Mina has been a long-standing target for the Catalan club, alongside the former Ajax defender Davison Sanchez.
While Davison moved away to the English Premier League where he joined the North London club Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona is looking at Mina to fill the void that is going to be created by the sale of Mascherano.
It would be fun to see Mina at the Catalan capital, after his solid performance with the national side in the qualifiers.
