Javier Mascherano reportedly agrees China deal | OneFootball

The Little Chief is heading to China.

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano will leave the club in January to join Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune, according to ESPN.

The 33-year-old has publicly stated his desire to move to a club when he could play a more important role and reports from Spain suggested a deal with Habei was close last week.

And now, if ESPN are correct, Barcelona and Hebei have reached a preliminary agreement for €10m.

The outlet report that two Hebei officials travelled to Barcelona to seal the terms.

They also say that the Argentine will sign a two-year deal with his new club worth something approaching €20m in wages.

The main obstacle remaining before the move can be officialised, ESPN suggest, is for Barcelona to secure a replacement central defender.

They may look to bring in Palmeiras’ Columbia international Yerry Mina in January. The Catalans reportedly already had a deal in place to sign Mina in the summer but the situation with Mascherano could force their hand.

With Samuel Umtiti set to miss the entire month of January with injury, Mascherano’s departure would leave Barcelona with Gerard Piqué and Thomas Vermaelen as the only fit senior centre-backs unless they are able to bring someone in.

Mascherano, who joined Barcelona from Liverpool in 2010, has made only 10 appearances for Ernesto Valverde’s side in all competitions this season.