La Liga News: Barcelona confirm Javier Mascherano transfer from Liverpool after he passes medical
It’s finally official: La Liga side Barcelona have announced the confirmation of Argentinean captain Javier Mascherano’s transfer from Liverpool on a 4 year contract with a payment of 17.2 million pounds.
The clause also states that the Catalans will have to pay Liverpool an additional amount of 2-3 million pounds if they are able to attain the League title.
Barcelona had shown interest in the signing of the world class defensive midfielder since last season, and this season seemed to be the perfect opportunity for the switch.
Last season, Camp Nou had the services of Yaya Toure, who is now playing for Manchester City; therefore, they needed Mascherano’s expertise desperately.
Mascherano himself had been begging the Merseyside club all summer to transfer him to another club, but the new Liverpool manager had told Mascherano that he would only offload the player if a good enough offer is presented for him.
He had been linked with transfers to Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester City and Barcelona. For a large part of the summers, especially during (and post) the World Cup, where he was in his usual form, it was thought that he would be joining his former Liverpool boss at San Siro.
However, that is not how fate unfolded, as later on, interest from the Nerazzurri dimmed but shone from Catalonia. One of the reasons Hodgson disregarded the bid from Inter was because according to him the bid was derisory. Last week was heavily intense for both Liverpool and Barcelona, as they negotiated terms for the 26-year old player.
It had become apparent that Mascherano was going to leave Anfield when he refused to play just hours before the match against Manchester City, which Liverpool lost 3-0. In the end, though, Liverpool found a replacement for him: Raul Meireles.
Officials from the club have now confirmed that Mascherano has passed his medical test conducted by a team headed by Doctor Ricard Pruna.
While talking to media, Dr. Pruna concluded that the player was in brilliant form. “It was an exhaustive medical that lasted around five hours. He is in excellent condition and is physically great. His cardiovascular level is perfect and he is a player who has had very few injuries.”
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