NO Mascherano Transfer If Fabregas Deal Is Made

Barcelona are set to make a run at Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano — but their move for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas could hinder any prospective deal.

The Catalan giants tried to bring the Argentina international to the Nou Camp last summer, and with Yaya Toure likely to leave in the off-season Barcelona will have to fill the void left at defensive midfield.

However, the Reds will be seeking about £30 million for the Argentine captain, which could test their transfer budget as Arsenal also want over £40m for Fabregas — with the Gunners midfielder the club's main priority.

Selling Toure, who has garnered interest from Chelsea, could earn Barcelona around £20m but with the La Liga champions having already completed a big money move for Valencia striker David Villa it is unlikely that they will be able to sign both Mascherano and Fabregas this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Mascherano is also on Chelsea’s radar but Liverpool would prefer not to send the 25-year-old to a Premier League rival.

Yaya Toure Prefers Chelsea Transfer

Want-away Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure is believed to favour a move to Chelsea this summer, despite interest from Manchester City and Arsenal.

The 27-year-old, who signed a new contract last season, is ready to quit the Camp Nou after failing to hold down a first-team place last season, according to the Daily Mail.

The Ivorian’s brother, Kolo, currently plays for Manchester City, but the robust defensive midfielder still appears to prefer a move to west London after already ruling himself out of any possible swap deal involving Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas going in the opposite direction.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola and outgoing president Joan Laporta insist Toure is a valued member of the playing staff, but the former Monaco player is not prepared to play second fiddle to Sergio Busquets and the attempted signing of Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal could limit his opportunities even further.

Guardiola would like to keep Toure at the Nou Camp, but because of the player’s preference for first-team football, Barcelona could let him leave if the right offer surfaces.

Chelsea were reported to have already had a £17 million bid for the player rejected by the Catalan giants.

Manchester City officials reportedly met with Toure at the end of last week and are said to have also discussed a £17m offer.

Manchest United Target Bojan

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has set his sights on a £12 million move to link Wayne Rooney with Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic.

Krkic, 19, has been with the Catalans all his career and scored more than 500 goals in the youth ranks. An eight-goal La Liga haul last season has alerted Ferguson to his talents and he is determined to pair him with Rooney according to El Mundo Deportivo.

Mexican centre forward Javier Hernandez is already on his way to Old Trafford next term, but Ferguson's doubts about Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen have piqued his interest.

The £34.2m arrival of Valencia's David Villa has put Krkic's place at Barcelona in jeopardy and could yet see head coach Pep Guardiola make him available for transfer.