The Italian representative of Javier Mascherano has elaborated on earlier claims the Barcelona defender wants to play in Serie A.
Gustavo Mascardi was on Wednesday quoted as saying the Argentine, this week voted by his teammates as Barca’s fourth captain, is keen to experience Italian football.
He has gone further in an interview with LaRoma24 by revealing talks with a host of clubs in the peninsula, claiming to have been given authority by Mascherano’s agent, Walter Tamer, and Mascherano himself.
“I was instructed [to act as an intermediary] by one of his agents, Tamer, as well as the player,” Mascardi said.
“I’ll stay in touch with them while I work on a solution.
“Will I meet with Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini? Yes, I can confirm that. We’ll talk about everything.
“I can tell you that I’ve already spoken with [Juventus director general Giuseppe] Marotta, but negotiations stalled, because Juventus spoke to [Barcelona international sporting director Ariedo] Braida, who told them they didn’t want to sell.
“Last night I had dinner with Ariedo and I told him the lad wants a change of scenery, preferably in Italy.
“Javier will speak directly to the President [Josep Maria Bartomeu] as soon as there’s a concrete offer from an Italian club. He wants to come and play in Serie A.
“No team is in pole position, at the moment Inter with [sporting director Piero] Ausilio are the team which has come forward more than the others, but no-one is in pole position.
“I’ve talked about the player with [Milan CEO Adriano] Galliani, Ausilio, Walter and Marotta. The situation is clear, and the transfer window is open. Anything could happen, or nothing could happen.”
