Not much of a swap deal, more an attempt at a football transfer mugging!

The Rumour

Barcelona have reportedly continued their chase for Liverpool’s midfield hardman, Javier Mascherano.

The treble winners have been linked with a move for the Argentina captain since before the season ended, and it is now believed that they could use French defender Eric Abidal to tempt the Merseysiders to part company with their star midfielder.

According to Sport, Reds manager Rafael Benitez is keen to bolster his defence, particularly at left-back, and Abidal is a player who fits perfectly into the Spanish gaffer’s plans.

The Barcelona-based paper believes that the Blaugrana valuate the Frenchman at around €15 million – the same amount they purchased him for from Lyon back in 2007 – and would include the 29-year-old in a player-plus-cash deal to sign Mascherano.

The Source: (goal.com)

The Analysis

As far as player swaps go, even with a chunk of change offered as a sweetener, this one makes no sense whatsoever. Eric Abidal is a decent left back but by no means outstanding and at 29 not exactly a spring chicken, why then would Rafa be interested in even considering this swap deal?

Javier Mascherano was inspirational last term and is a player idolised by the Liverpool support and is unlikely to be considering leaving a club who are on the up and up even if it were to join the all conquering Barcelona side.

Finally does Rafa badly need a left back? I wouldn’t say it’s urgent. Insua has improved this season and Aurelio and Dossena both do a pretty decent job so i am not sure that the club urgently needs a replacement in that department.

The Likelihood

Mascherano in swap deal with Barcelona: Nope!

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