Javier Mascherano, Barcelona Agree on New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

Javier Mascherano has quashed any speculation of a summer exit from the Camp Nou by signing a three-year contract extension with Barcelona to keep him at the club until the summer of 2019.

Barcelona vice-president Josep Soler revealed Mascherano's new deal, as translated by Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC:

Corrigan did stress a deal has not been officially signed yet, though:

Serie A champions Juventus were the most closely linked suitors in the hunt to sign the Argentina international.

It was reported Mascherano could join former Blaugrana team-mate Dani Alves in Turin after the right-back completed a move to the Italian giants earlier this summer.

However, Italian outlet Calciomercato reported in late June that a move suddenly became less likely, with Barca ready to hand their defender a salary increase (h/t Football Italia).

Mascherano has played 281 matches for Barcelona since arriving at the club in 2010, per Transfermarkt, and he has since gone on to become a key defensive staple despite coming to Catalonia as a midfielder. These numbers from BBC Sport show how much success he has enjoyed at the Camp Nou:

As we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, Mascherano's ability to play out from deeper positions has been key to Barca:

With Alves' departure and centre-back Marc Bartra gone to Borussia Dortmund, Mascherano's departure might have left Barca manager Luis Enrique short of options at the back.

However, the likes of Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Jeremy Mathieu will now be able to count on their veteran team-mate to be back in Blaugrana colours this season as they go in search of a third consecutive La Liga crown.