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FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Javier Mascherano and Antoine Griezmann

By Chiranjib Ghosh

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 21: Javier Alejandro Mascherano of FC Barcelona in action during the La Liga 2017-18 match between FC Barcelona and Malaga CF at Camp Nou on 21 October 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 21: Javier Alejandro Mascherano of FC Barcelona in action during the La Liga 2017-18 match between FC Barcelona and Malaga CF at Camp Nou on 21 October 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Manchester United concerned over Antoine Griezmann deal

MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 27: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid celebrates during the UEFA Champions League 2017-18 match between Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea FC at the Wanda Metropolitano on 27 September 2017, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 27: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid celebrates during the UEFA Champions League 2017-18 match between Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea FC at the Wanda Metropolitano on 27 September 2017, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Manchester United are scared of losing their long-time target Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona next summer. The Manchester club has been linked with signing the wily Frenchman ever since José Mourinho took over.

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But a deal has never materialised, with Griezmann deciding to extend his contract with Atlético Madrid. But with Atlético getting knocked out of the Champions League, he doesn’t feel that he can fulfill his ambitions at the Wanda Metropolitano anymore.

But his preferred destination for the realisation of his potential is not Manchester United, to the dismay of the Red Devils. Griezmann knows that he will face stiff competition from the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial for a spot in the first-team.

At Barcelona, he will replace an ageing and declining Luis Suárez, with the only competition in the form of Paco Alcácer. He will have more opportunities to impress, and will play with superior teammates.

But United are preparing a shortlist of attacking targets to replace Zlatan Ibrahimović when he bids adieu to Old Trafford next season.

Javier Mascherano has an offer from China

Javier Mascherano has made it clear that this season will be his last playing for Barcelona. He wants to have another crack at the World Cup before he retires and the veteran Argentine feels that he might not get selected for the Finals in Russia if he doesn’t play regular first-team football.

That is why he is gunning for a move away from the Camp Nou in January. He has multiple offers on the table, including one from former club River Plate. But there is a new entrant in the race for his signature.

And they seem to be the most appealing too. Hebei China Fortune are being linked with a January move for Javier Mascherano. The star-studded side, led by Manuel Pellegrini, lack quality in defence, having only local talent in that position.

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They boast of having players like Gervinho and Ezequiel Lavezzi but they do not have a star defender. And Pellegrini wants Mascherano to be that star in their back line. It is an exciting prospect for Mascherano because he will get a lot of time on the pitch, a huge salary and a shot at making it into the Argentina squad for the 2018 World Cup.

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