Javier Mascherano or Nigel de Jong: Who to join Barcelona?

Barcelona is now in search of a replacement for holding midfielder Yaya Toure who recently joined Manchester City for around £27.5 million transfer fee. At the moment, the Catalan side is eying on Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano and City’s Nigel de Jong.

Sergio Busquets is now the first choice holding midfielder at Barcelona, but there is no quality back up for Busquets after the departure of Toure. So, manager Pep Guardiola is determined to bring in a new holding midfielder who could deputize for Busquets.

Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has been one of the prime targets for Barcelona in summer 2010. However, a possible deal for the 26-year-old is now doubtful as Liverpool slapped a £35 million price tag on the player.

Barcelona is now struggling to maintain their cash flow and recently sought around £120 million loan from bank. Though president Sandro Rosell indicated Barcelona has £80 million left in their transfer kitty, it seems less likely that the Catalans would like to pay £35 million for a back up player, while they are strongly negotiating a big money deal with Arsenal for Cesc Fabregas.

Barcelona is now seriously considering Nigel de Jong as a replacement for Yaya Toure. Nigel de Jong is physically very strong and has put on some very good performances so far in the World Cup. In fact, the Spanish giants are now planning to involve the 25-year-old Dutch midfielder in a part-swap part-cash deal for City’s target Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Well, it is not the right time to rule out the possibility of Javier Mascherano joining Barcelona, even though Inter Milan is also interested in the player. If the player insists a move, Liverpool might lower their asking price down and there is a possibility the deal could be done.