Juventus and Barcelona are waiting in the wings to prise Javier Mascherano away from Liverpool.

The Sunday Mirror says well as the continental giants, Manchester City are also sounding out Mascherano's advisers MSI about signing the 23-year-old midfielder on a permanent deal next summer.

Mascherano, who joined Liverpool on a long-term loan, said: "I was talking with the club and it was all agreed that I would stay here, but in the last week a situation has developed at Liverpool.

"Now I have to wait until the club are ready to talk to me again and maybe in the next one or two weeks we will have some news.

"They just need to talk. Rafa doesn't want to leave the club because he's very happy here and the supporters love him.

"It means I need to wait, but it's possible in the next month they will have a meeting and it will all be resolved.

"I want to play for Liverpool and I want to stay here."