Barcelona have managed to successfully retain one of the star players for the next few years after it emerged that midfielder Javier Mascherano had signed a new contract with the club. The Argentine had been heavily linked with a return to the Premier league in the last few months. Mascherano was also open to such a possibility, as he has largely been utilised in the defence at Barcelona. Now, he has signed a new deal that will see him stay at the camp Nou until 2018. The Argentine defender recently turned 30 years of age, but that has not prevented Barcelona from extending his contract.
The buyout clause in his contract has now been increased to € 100 million, which effectively rules him out of a transfer from Barcelona. A number of Barcelona players have been linked with an exit in the last few months, as the club prepares to shake up the whole squad following their first trophy less season in a long time. Players like Fabregas are expected to depart in order to fund the new purchases. Even Dani Alves, who has an incredible relationship with Lionel Messi, is also linked with an exit.
He recently spoke fondly about the interest from French outfit Paris St Germain, which is likely to be his next destination.
“FC Barcelona announces that it has reached an agreement with Javier Mascherano for the improvement and extension of his contract for the next four years, until 30 June 2018, plus an optional season. His buyout clause will be €100m,” read a statement on the club’s official site. Mascherano will be involved with the Argentine squad at the World Cup 2014, which could be his last major tournament. It is looking highly likely that the defender will announce his retirement in the next few years.