Hebei China Fortune coach Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed he expects to sign Javier Mascherano this month, with the Barcelona defender anticipated to complete his move to the Chinese side within two weeks.
“The idea is that he comes here,” Pellegrini told Marca from Hebei China Fortune’s training base in the south of Spain.
“We have to see what the situation is with Barca, but he’s a player that I am really interested in.”
Pellegrini previously worked with Mascherano — who has won over 140 caps for Argentina — at River Plate in the early years of his career and he believes he will be a success in China.
Reports in the Catalan press suggest that Barca and Hebei Fortune have already agreed on a fee of around €10 million for Mascherano.
Despite missing the midweek defeat at Espanyol with a slight injury, Mascherano is expected to return to the squad for this weekend’s trip to Real Betis.
He would then make himself available for Barca’s next two home games, the return leg against Espanyol in the Copa del Rey and the league game against Alaves, where he would say goodbye to Camp Nou.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate