Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Andre Gomes and Javier Mascherano Rumours

Barcelona are reportedly ready to go head-to-head with Manchester United in their bid to sign Valencia midfielder Andre Gomes this summer. Meanwhile, the Catalans are holding out hope of retaining Javier Mascherano's services.

According to Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez was impressed by Gomes during Portugal's recent 7-0 win over Estonia (via International Business Times, h/t Mirror's Liam Corless).

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Gomes has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for some time, but the temptation to join the Spanish champions rather than a side not competing in next season's UEFA Champions League may win out.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan recently reported United are considering a €45 million (£35.5 million) offer for the player and provided quotes from Gomes, who spoke highly of Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho.

The Valencia playmaker said: "Mourinho is a great coach, no doubt about that, but at the moment I am not concerned about what will happen after the Euros. It will be my first time at a competition of this type, and I just want to think about that now."

Corrigan did go on to mention Mourinho's recent declaration he doesn't "want Portuguese players," and Barca can take heart in knowing Juventus are at least no longer rivals for Gomes, per Sky Sport Italia's Fabrizio Romano:

The 22-year-old has four years remaining on his contract at the Mestalla and is coming off a campaign in which he featured prominently for Los Che, starting 27 of his 30 Primera Division appearances.

Gomes is away with Portugal at Euro 2016 and is unlikely to make a move away from Valencia until after the competition, but blogger Liam Canning previously tipped the midfield maestro to shine in France:

Elsewhere, the Blaugrana are determined to hold onto Mascherano this summer, according to Spanish newspaper Sport, despite speculation he's set to leave for Juventus (h/t Football Espana).

Tomas Andreu of Sport recently reported the Argentina utility man is "tired of Barcelona" and is looking to leave this summer, but Metro's Chris Winterburn has questioned Juve's commitment to signing the player:

Mascherano has another two years to run on his contract at the Camp Nou, meaning the Bianconeri would have to satisfy Barca as well as the player if they are to complete any deal.

What once seemed like a done deal no longer seems to be quite as certain, and the reigning Primera Division champions will fight to keep Mascherano when he returns from the Copa America.