Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi is under consideration by European champs Barcelona. El Mundo Deportivo says De Rossi has been long admired by Barca sports chief Txiki Begiristain, who will move for the Italy international if he cannot prise Javier Mascherano away from Liverpool.

Begiristain is convinced Roma, which are the subject of takeover talks, will struggle to resist any serious cash offer for Italy international De Rossi.

Mascherano is a £30 million target for Barca, but also is on the agenda of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.