Barcelona have contacted Liverpool offering a first refusal to sign former Red, Javier Mascherano, in the January transfer window.
The Argentine international has had limited minutes under Ernesto Valverde this campaign, only making seven full appearances for the Catalans in all competitions, five in the domestic league.
Valverde has preferred the centre back partnership of Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti, and looks to be making his own Barcelona squad, meaning many players could be on their way out of the Nou Camp.
Mascherano could leave to come back to Anfield where he left for Barcelona in 2010. Barca have contacted Klopp and Liverpool, who have been criticised for defensive performances this season, to offer him to them in January.
As a replacement, Valverde seems to be looking at Yerry Mina, currently at Palmeiras, or 18-year-old Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax, according to TEAMtalk.
It is believed that by offering Mascherano to Liverpool, Barcelona are trying to make up for the sours of summer in a way to bring Philippe Coutinho to Catalonia.
Mascherano was a fans’ favourite at Anfield, making 139 appearances for the Reds, and could be the ideal signing to sort out Liverpool’s defensive issues, which are under scrutiny more now after the Sevilla match.
However, although Klopp would be bringing a hero back to Merseyside, he does have his eyes on Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Romain Saiss. So whatever happens in January could go either way. But the certainty is that if Mascherano were to return, the Liverpool fans would have more plenty more reasons for optimism.
