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FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Javier Mascherano and Julian Brandt

By Chiranjib Ghosh

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 14: Javier Mascherano of Barcelona looks on before the match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona as part of La Liga at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Patricio Realpe/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 14: Javier Mascherano of Barcelona looks on before the match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona as part of La Liga at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Patricio Realpe/Getty Images) /
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Julian Brandt admits Barcelona’s interest in his services

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 24: Julian Brandt of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates scoring his teams first goal of the game during the DFB Cup match between Bayer Leverkusen and 1. FC Union Berlin at BayArena on October 24, 2017 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Bongarts/Getty Images)
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 24: Julian Brandt of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates scoring his teams first goal of the game during the DFB Cup match between Bayer Leverkusen and 1. FC Union Berlin at BayArena on October 24, 2017 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Once upon a time, Julian Brandt was the poster boy of European youth academies, and was creating tremors in the Bundesliga. But then he faded away, and his seat was occupied by the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Kingsley Coman.

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This has been due to the fact that he plays for a mediocre club vis-à-vis his talent. He should be playing for a Champions League club which competes for the league title every season. But all this time, Barcelona haven’t lost interest in him.

As January comes around, Barcelona are weighing up alternative options to Philippe Coutinho, the lack of which led to an unsuccessful summer transfer window. Brandt cannot match up to the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Thiago, but is more of a glance towards the future.

Recently, Brandt admitted Barcelona’s interest in him.

"He said, “This is an honour[Barcelona links] in any case, I will not deny that now. Of course, this is always a sign that your achievements were not for nothing.”"

Julian Brandt’s contract has a release clause of €12.5 million, which is a bargain deal when his potential is taken into consideration. But Barcelona will face strong opposition for his signature. Bayern Munich and Liverpool are also looking to sign Brandt and Pep Segura has some work to do if he wants to bring the German international to the Camp Nou.

Javier Mascherano looking for a way out of the Camp Nou next summer

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The veteran Argentine centre-back has a contract running upto 2019. But he feels that he cannot continue to play at the highest level for much longer. Therefore, he has expressed his desire to the management about leaving the club next summer.

Mascherano has chosen the United States as his next destination. He does not want to go to China or Arabia to get a huge wage packet. Instead, the long-serving defender wants to secure a future for his family.

‘El Jefecito’ has decided that he, along with his family, will move to USA if any MLS franchise agrees to meet his financial demands. Both he and the club feel that next summer will be the right time for Mascherano to move on.

Mascherano has served the club with full dedication ever since he signed from Liverpool. He deserves some gratitude, and Barcelona feel that giving him freedom to decide his future is exactly that.

Next: Antoine Griezmann earmarked as successor to Luis Suárez

If he does leave Barcelona next summer, it will be on a grand note. He would have completed 4 World Cups and 8 seasons at Barca.

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