Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano (R) competes for the ball against Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres. (Photo : Getty Images)
FC Barcelona defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano shunned the transfer offer of Italian Serie A champions Juventus FC as the Argentina international prefers to stay in Catalonia, according to the Spanish club's sporting director.
Ariedo Braida, Barça's international sporting director, recently told local Spanish reporters that the 32-year-old midfielder is not following the footsteps of teammate Dani Alves, who chose to leave the Nou Camp this summer after eight years in service.
"It is certain that Javier will not play for Juventus next season," Braida insisted. "He'll stay with us."
There had been rumors that the former West Ham and Liverpool defender is ready to leave Barcelona as his current contract expires this summer and that Juve is one of the Argentine's potential destinations.
However, Caught Offside noted that Mascherano is being offered a contract extension that will make him stay with the club for the foreseeable future. The report claimed, though, that "the veteran midfielder wants a salary increase and long-term security with the new deal" and it seems like the Catalan giants are willing to provide it for him.
Mascherano had just finished his sixth season with the Blaugrana where he had already appeared in a total of 282 games in all competitions. He was acquired from English Premier League side Liverpool in August of 2010 and has been one of the club's key players ever since, instrumental in winning four La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies for Barcelona so far.
Meanwhile, Alves had been luring the Argentinian to follow him to Italy from the time when he was signed by Juve on Monday, saying that he would be "honored" to have him as his teammate again in Italy, as per beIN Sports.
"He (Mascherano) is one of the players I value the most," said Alves during his official media presentation in Turin on Tuesday. "I usually talk with him about football very often and it would be a great honor for me to share this adventure with him."
"But it depends on the clubs and Mascherano, not me. It would be an honor because he has the right spirit to be part of Juve," the Brazilian defender added.
Alves was acquired by the Old Lady in a free transfer after Barcelona permitted him to go even if his contract with the club still has one year left in it.
