The Catalan star Messi has talked up the prospect of Javier Mascherano joining him at Barcelona outfit this summer.

According to The Sun, la Barca have been in contact with Mascherano's agent in the hope of engineering his move from Liverpool to the catalan.

Apparently, Barca’s coach, Pep Guardiola, is a big fan of the combative midfielder and would like to see a deal in the region of €23.5 million (£20m) completed during the close season.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez has moved to dismiss reports linking the former River Plate, Corinthians and West Ham United star with a transfer away from Liverpool.

However, the 25 year old midfielder's team mate at international level, Messi, would be happy to play alongside him at club level also.

"It will be beautiful if Barcelona signed Mascherano, as a player and as a friend," The Sun quote Messi as saying.

"Not only to have him on the pitch but also off it as well. He's a great player and would be a great signing."

While Liverpool would be extremely reluctant to see one of their top stars leave, it has been rumoured that Mascherano's family would like to move to Spain having failed to settle in England.

The Catalan star Messi has talked up the prospect of Javier Mascherano joining him at Barcelona outfit this summer.

According to The Sun, la Barca have been in contact with Mascherano's agent in the hope of engineering his move from Liverpool to the catalan.

Apparently, Barca’s coach, Pep Guardiola, is a big fan of the combative midfielder and would like to see a deal in the region of €23.5 million (£20m) completed during the close season.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez has moved to dismiss reports linking the former River Plate, Corinthians and West Ham United star with a transfer away from Liverpool.

However, the 25 year old midfielder's team mate at international level, Messi, would be happy to play alongside him at club level also.

"It will be beautiful if Barcelona signed Mascherano, as a player and as a friend," The Sun quote Messi as saying.

"Not only to have him on the pitch but also off it as well. He's a great player and would be a great signing."

While Liverpool would be extremely reluctant to see one of their top stars leave, it has been rumoured that Mascherano's family would like to move to Spain having failed to settle in England.