Javier Mascherano has revealed Barcelona have blocked his move to Juventus.
The Argentina international had agreed terms with Juventus but with two years remaining on his current deal the Serie A champions would have needed to negotiate a fee with Barcelona.
Juventus have already signed Dani Alves from Barcelona this summer and Luis Enrique’s side have moved to deny another experienced head leave the Camp Nou and it would now seem Mascherano will remain at the club.
“Barcelona have let me know that they have no intention to let me go, that they are very happy with me,” Mascherano told Ole, via Sky Sports.
“When a club, especially this club, says that to you it is very difficult to leave. I do not want to force anything. There is an opportunity to leave, but also to remain.
“I will not do anything that could ruin my relationship with Barcelona, which has always been good. I would not leave a bitter taste in the mouth.”
No Barcelona player to start at least 10 matches in La Liga last season finished with a better pass success rate than Mascherano (90.5%).
For more stats on Javier Mascherano, click here to visit his WhoScored player page