Masch has Barca talks

Masch has Barca talks

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LIVERPOOL’S hopes of keeping Javier Mascherano took a blow last night as it emerged his agent had held talks with Barcelona.
Walter Tamer met Barca technical director Txiki Beguiristain at the city’s Juan Carlos Hotel yesterday.
Now the deal SunSport revealed on June 6 is a step closer, with Barca manager Pep Guardiola willing to pay £20million.
Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa could also be on his way to Spain as Real Madrid are closing in on an £8m deal.
That move was also first revealed in SunSport and the player himself has admitted he will return to La Liga one day.
Losing Arbeloa, 26, would not be a disaster for Kop boss Rafa Benitez as he has already signed Glen Johnson from Ports-mouth for £18m.
But he has always insisted that tough guy Mascherano, 25, is not for sale as the Argentine ace has cemented a reputation as one of the best holding midfielders in the country.
Yet if Benitez wants to have any chance of landing other top targets like in-demand Valencia striker David Silva, it looks increasingly likely he will have to be prepared to pay the price.