'I'd like Mascherano to stay at Barcelona'
Despite reports suggesting Javier Mascherano is on his way out of Barcelona, captain Andres Iniesta has not given up hope on him staying at the club.
The Argentine defender said last month that his trophy laden spell in Catalonia was 'nearing an end', and he has since been linked with a move to Hebei China Fortune in the Chinese Super League.
However, veteran midfielder Iniesta has admitted that he would like Mascherano to stay at the club.
'We haven't resigned ourselves to him leaving because it's not official,' Iniesta told reporters on Wednesday.
'On a personal level I'd like him to stay because he's very important to us as a person and as a player, although everyone has to look out for themselves. But no-one can doubt Mascherano's commitment to Barca after all these years.'
Mascherano's departure would leave Barcelona in a spot of bother at the back. They would only have three experienced centre-backs in in Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, who is out injured until the new year, and the injury-prone Thomas Vermaelen.
Should Barcelona do everything they can to keep hold of Mascherano? Let us know what you think in the comments.