Mascherano off to Barca

Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano appears set to join Barcelona after the Spanish giants agreed a transfer fee with Liverpool.

Mascherano made it clear to the Anfield outfit during the off-season that he wanted to move from England with Barca and Inter Milan the favourites to land the 26-year-old.

The clubs announced on Friday that a fee had been agreed and it seems certain that Mascherano will link up with the Catalans.

"Liverpool Football Club have agreed terms for the transfer of Javier Mascherano to FC Barcelona," a statement on Liverpool's website said.

"The Spanish club have now been given permission to speak to the Argentina midfielder."

The 2008-09 European Champions League winners confirmed a four-year deal had been agreed for the combative midfielder in their statement.

The Barcelona statement read: "FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Javier Mascherano to the club for the next four seasons."

"The deal was closed after intensive efforts made by the club in the final hours and through the player himself in the negotiations."

"Barcelona will report the details of the operation once the player passes the medical and the transfer is concluded. It is hoped Javier Mascherano will arrive in Barcelona this weekend."

Earlier this week new Reds manager Roy Hodgson was insistent that Mascherano would stay at Anfield but did not include him in the squad for the Europa League play-off against Trabzonspor in Turkey on Thursday.

Mascherano would link up with international team-mate Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp after Messi insisted earlier in the week that Mascherano would never play for Liverpool again.

The fee remains undisclosed at this stage.

It is unlikely that he would be in the squad for Barca's La Liga season opener this weekend at El Sardinero when they take on Racing Santander with a home debut on September 12 against Hercules more likely.