Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio is under consideration as Barcelona look to sign a new centre-back this summer.
That’s according to Sport, who claim that Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur want him too.
Musacchio, 25, is arguably the stereotypical ball-playing CB one associates with Barca. He is so comfortable in possession that he is occasionally used in midfield, rather like the man he might ultimately replace long-term, Javier Mascherano.
Former Liverpool midfielder, turned Barca rock, Mascherano will be 32 this summer, so his days in this world-class side must be numbered.
Musacchio has been chased by Barca before, say Sport. Tata Martino apparently tried and failed to bring him to Catalonia two seasons ago.
Martino now manages Argentina – with whom Musacchio has won three senior caps to date, having made his debut in 2011 against Nigeria.
Sport say Musacchio is under contract at Villarreal for two more years, although they claim he can be bought out for €50m.
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