Agent: Mascherano keen on Barca

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano would "love" to join Barcelona this summer, according to his Spanish representative.

PA Photos

Javier Mascherano is keen to leave Anfield

Mascherano, 26, was strongly linked with a move to Barca last year, but no move was agreed and, having asked to leave Liverpool upon his return from the World Cup, he was expected to join Inter this summer.

However, Inter have indicated that they need to sell before they can fund a move for Mascherano and, with Barca potentially in the market for a replacement for Yaya Toure, agent Horacio Zandonadi hopes a deal can be agreed.

"The player and all of us would love him to be at the club," he told COMRadio, a Catalan station. "The numbers are close to half what Barca were being asked to pay for Fabregas.

"He has not renewed his contract and they promised that this year they would help him leave. We're talking about a much easier situation than last year."

Liverpool are set to bring in Christian Poulsen from Juventus to replace Mascherano, and Denmark team-mate Daniel Agger feels he would be an ideal signing.

"Christian would be a perfect addition to most of the big clubs in Europe, so he will certainly fit in here," he said. "He is a top player and will make us stronger. We need to have big signings so we can compete and he is one of those players.

"Christian will improve the team, but we need more improvements if we want to be at the top of the league this season."