Barcelona are ready to bid for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Barca will use their £28 million sale of Yaya Toure to Manchester City to fund their offer for Mascherano.

The Catalans are well aware that Inter Milan are also very keen on Mascherano and new San Siro boss Rafa Benitez enjoyed a good relationship with the 26-year-old.

Mascherano was keen to join Barca 12 months ago but seemed to knuckle down at Liverpool last season and signalled his intention to stay.

However, negotiations on an improved contract proved protracted and were shelved before he left to captain Argentina at the World Cup.