Barcelona have moved to the front of the queue for Javier Mascherano's services after Liverpool accepted an undisclosed bid from the Catalan club.
The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from Anfield for much of the summer with Barça and Inter Milan both keen on his services.
Mascherano was not included in the Reds' squad for Monday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City after informing boss Roy Hodgson he did not want to be considered for selection.
Hodgson was keen to keep Mascherano but has reluctantly agreed to let Barcelona talk to the tough-tackling midfielder.
A statement from Liverpool said: "Liverpool have agreed terms for the transfer of Javier Mascherano to Barcelona.
"The Spanish club have now been given permission to speak to the Argentina midfielder."
The Argentina captain is expected to put pen to paper on a four-year contract this weekend.
A Barcelona statement confirmed: "Barcelona and Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Javier Mascherano to the club for the next four seasons.
"The deal was closed after intensive efforts made by the club in the final hours and through the player himself in the negotiations.
"Barcelona will report the details of the operation once the player passes the medical and the transfer is concluded.
"It is hoped Javier Mascherano will arrive in Barcelona this weekend."
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The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from Anfield for much of the summer with Barça and Inter Milan both keen on his services.
Mascherano was not included in the Reds' squad for Monday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City after informing boss Roy Hodgson he did not want to be considered for selection.
Hodgson was keen to keep Mascherano but has reluctantly agreed to let Barcelona talk to the tough-tackling midfielder.
A statement from Liverpool said: "Liverpool have agreed terms for the transfer of Javier Mascherano to Barcelona.
"The Spanish club have now been given permission to speak to the Argentina midfielder."
The Argentina captain is expected to put pen to paper on a four-year contract this weekend.
A Barcelona statement confirmed: "Barcelona and Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Javier Mascherano to the club for the next four seasons.
"The deal was closed after intensive efforts made by the club in the final hours and through the player himself in the negotiations.
"Barcelona will report the details of the operation once the player passes the medical and the transfer is concluded.
"It is hoped Javier Mascherano will arrive in Barcelona this weekend."
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