Javier Mascherano 'still wanted in China'

A host of Chinese Super League clubs are still interested in signing Javier Mascherano from Barcelona, according to a report from Spain.

The Argentina international was linked with a move away from Camp Nou in the summer, before ultimately penning a new three-year contract with the Spanish champions in the latter stages of July.

However, it is understood that the deal has not cemented Mascherano's long-term future at Barcelona and according to AS, there is still strong interest from China in the 32-year-old.

Samuel Umtiti's summer arrival at Barcelona has seen Mascherano rotated out of the first team this season, while Jeremy Mathieu was preferred to the former Liverpool midfielder in last weekend's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo.