Barcelona tell Mascherano to dismiss early exit talk

Barcelona has told Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano to dismiss early exit talks and forget about a potential move to China.

Mascherano has signified his intention that he will not continue at the Camp Nou next season, but it’s also not been ruled out that he leaves earlier, due to his desire to play regularly in the World Cup and the club’s need to reduce the wage bill.

The Argentine has dropped in the pecking order in Ernesto Valverde line up, with Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique the preferred central backs.

But Radio Catalunya reports the injury to Umtiti, who will be out for two months, means Mascherano has been told to drop plans for a January exit.
Umtiti suffered a serious hamstring injury in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo.