Javier Mascherano's condition to continue at Barça next season

Javier Mascherano wants to remain at Barcelona for at least one more season. The Argentine is happy and he’s convinced there’s still success to be had at the club, regardless of who the new manager is. 

Mascherano wants to continue at the club, but not at any price. He’s expressed as much to the club. He doesn’t want to take on a limited role with the possibility of a summer signings. He wants more, feels he can still offer something at the top level and that’s where he wants to remain. 

If that’s at Barcelona, perfect. If not, he’s not ruling out one last European adventure before returning to Argentina, where he has expressed a desire to play for River Plate before turning to coaching. 

In recent days, amid rumours about Mascherano’s future, the club have declared him non-transferable. The message is clear and coincides with the player’s desire to remain at the club, too. They do not want to encourage speculation about his future. 

But the reality is different. Javier knows as well as anyone the design of he Barça squad and how he fits in with regard to possible arrivals this summer. He knows that, in normal conditions, Barça will sign at least one centre-back, with Jeremy Mathieu likely to leave. And that is where he has his doubts. 

Mascherano understands his role is the third centre-back in the team. The Argentine knows that the current scene sees him fill in when Samuel Umtiti or Gerard Pique are either unavailable or rested. He can also play in a back three, at right-back or in midfield. 

If the new centre-back signed is a youngster who needs time to adapt, everything will remain the same. 

But if Robert Fernandez and Barça sign someone ready to perform immediately, that could signal the end of Mascherano. 

He’s happy to be third choice, but not fourth. He wants to play regularly next season ahead of the World Cup in Russia, where he hopes to represent Argentina.