La Liga

Mascherano Agent Denies He Will Move This Summer

Javier Mascherano’s agent has denied reports he is set to leave Barcelona for Italy in the summer.

The Argentina international, 26, joined Barca from Liverpool in a controversial and protracted £18 million move at the start of the season but he has struggled to cement a first-team place at the Camp Nou, finding youth-team products like Sergio Busquets and Thiago in his way.

Interest from Inter Milan sas cooled since the sacking of mentor Rafael Benitez, but reports have linked the former West Ham anchorman to Milan, Juventus and Roma.

“Mascherano is not moving from Barcelona and there is nothing to say about him going to Italy,” agent Horacio Zandonadi told Italian radio station Mana Mana. “Mascherano is playing for Barcelona, the best team in the world. What else could he ask for? He wouldn’t even consider a move from Barcelona to Juventus or Milan. And as for Roma, how could they pay more than Barcelona? He is not leaving.”