Mascherano Still Wants To Join Barcelona

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has dropped his biggest hint yet that he may leave the club in the summer.

The 25-year-old has admitted he was keen to move to Barcelona last summer, but manager Rafael Benitez refused to sell him. The Argentina captain has continued to be linked with a move to Spain throughout the season, and says he would have liked to join Pep Guardiola’s side as it’s the city he wants to live in.

“The situation with Barcelona really affected me," Mascherano told the Liverpool Daily Post.

“It was a shame it didn’t happen as it was the city I wanted to live in.

“There were many discussions and problems during that month and a half. They were difficult times for me. One day I was off to Barcelona, the next I wasn’t.

“And Liverpool said I was non-transferable.

“Psychologically, it affected me as I couldn’t think in Liverpool and I was focused on other stuff and not on my work, my training and playing.

“Also we were having problems with Argentina as our qualification to the World Cup was in danger. There was a lot of complicated stuff at that time.”

Mascherano revealed he is still finding it difficult to settle in England, and admitted his wife is having problems adjusting to life in England.

He added: “I don’t do much stuff in my free time, that’s the truth.

“I could go to London with my wife to do some shopping but I have already been to London 1,000 times and if I want to go to another city I would have to take a plane.

“What kills me about living in Liverpool is that there are only two Argentinians here with me, Emiliano Insua and Maxi Rodriguez.

“I have no problem living in Liverpool, but I think my wife and daughters deserve to enjoy every day to the full and live their lives – but they have to be at home all day.

“My wife doesn’t speak a word of English, so she depends 100% on me. I live here with them. That’s my world, that’s my life.” 

Agent Warns Barcelona On Offering Ibra To Other Teams

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will decide his own future after the player was reportedly offered to Chelsea and Manchester City, according to his agent.

Rumours have grown that the La Liga champions have employed Pini Zahavi to contact the Premier League outfits to negotiate a £40 million switch. The Swede has endured an up-and-down season at Camp Nou, and sections of the Catalans' management are understood to be upset with his contribution.

Speaking to El Mundo Deportivo, the player's agent, Mino Raiola, insisted that any decision will rest on his client's will.

He said: "Only when Zlatan decides to leave, will he leave. No representative can do things related to my players, and president (Joan) Laporta has no right to order anything with any other agent."

Milito Renews Till 2012

Barcelona central defender Gabriel Milito has renewed his contract with the Blaugrana for another season, reports Sport. The Argentine's contract was scheduled to expire at the end of June 2011, but he has decided to extend his tenure at the club for another year.

The deal will reportedly contain an option to extend yet again next season. The buy-out clause stipulated in the contract will remain at €90 million.

Milito, who will turn 30 years old in September, arrived at Barca in the summer of 2007 from Zaragoza. Since then the Argentine has suffered two grave injuries, but came back strong this season to play in 11 Liga matches, 5 Champions League encounters and 1 Copa del Rey tie.

Laporta: "Bojan stays, Toure, I'm Not So Sure."

 As reported by AS, Barcelona president Joan Laporta, technical secretary Txiki Begiristain, and coach Pep Guardiola, will meet today to discuss the future of the squad and are rumoured to also discuss the possible signings of Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Valencia's David Villa.

But the principal issue will be to discuss the current squad needs so to determine how to progress in the summer transfer window. The two players that seem to have topped the list are young striker Bojan Krkic and midfielder Yaya Toure.

Laporta is very much in favour of Bojan continuing at the club, regardless of the club's chances of signing Villa. "What is clear is that Bojan will remain. That is what I have understood. With Toure, we will have to have some discussion. He has always stated his happiness with being at Barcelona and, further, he is an important element of the team and he knows that", said Laporta.

However, Laporta is conscious that the Ivorian does want more playing time. "Sometimes, perhaps he has wanted to participate more. We need to discuss with the coaching staff and then we will see".

A day after winning the Liga title for the second consecutive year, Laporta recognized that this year's Liga race was one of the most competitive in history. "We have earned this against a great rival who have also earned a lot of points. But we deserve the title and that is why we are champions".

Theirry Henry Denies Red Bulls Agreement

As reported by AS, Barcelona's Thierry Henry has rejected claims that he has reached a pre-contractual agreement with United States MLS team New York Red Bulls as had been reported last week.

The Frenchman has declared that his future plans are limited to this summer's World Cup in South Africa and that there is nothing substantive in the reports tying him to America.

"For the moment, nothing is certain. I am a Barcelona player and have another year left on my contract", said 'Titi'.

"Currently, my only worry is preparing for the World Cup with France. I will have time to reflect on my future later".

Villa: "I Will Only Leave The Club If Necesarry."

Valencia striker David Villa is continually being linked with a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid, but the Spanish international has now made it clear that he's keen to stay at Los Che.

"I still have a four-year deal with Valencia, my contract has a big release clause, I'm very happy at the club and I'm glad to be part of the project we're working on," said Villa to Canal 9.

"I can't imagine that the club wants to sell me if it isn't absolutely necessary to save Valencia. I will only leave Valencia if the situation is there that selling me will save the club."

The prolific hitman also took the time to discuss the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.

"Playing at the World Cup is something unique and one of the biggest things a football player can achieve. I will not be distracted by transfer rumors. I have learned my lesson and will only think about playing football."

VIDEO: La Liga Champions Celebration

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SORRY FOR THE LACK OF UPDATES IN THE LAST FEW DAYS BUT I WAS OUT OF TOWN. FROM WHAT IVE BEEN CHECKING THERE IS ALOT TO UPDATE SO BE PREPARED FOR A LOT OF UPDATES TODAY. VISCA EL BARCA!!!