Juventus’ last transfer campaign didn’t work out as planned.

The Bianconeri needed a leader for their team’s midfield, and also for the dressing room, and Barcelona 32-year old Javier Mascherano was their main target. In June, the Jefecito was just one step away from the Serie A defending champions after his agent had met a couple of times with Juventus executives.

The two parties had reached a full agreement not only from the financial point of view as the Argentine had also expressed his will to join the Bianconeri. The problem was that the Piedmont’s club was about to carry out the negotiation for the Argentine after signing Dani Alves. To obtain the Brazilian, Juventus used his unilateral clause, and the Blaugrana didn’t appreciate too much. The Catalan club asked for €25 million, then declared that the former Manchester City man was unsellable and finally renewed his contract.

Barcelona will not sell, this is now a closed case,' Juve’s director Giuseppe Marotta is quoted as saying by Spanish sport paper Marca. The Serie A champions had identified the Argentine as a primary target this summer but have accepted that the Catalan club have no intention to sell after he signed an extension for his present club Barcelona. Mascherano had told Argentinian newspaper Ole: 'Barca have let me know that they have no intention of me leaving. They are very happy with me.'

The 32-year-old has two years remaining on his current deal and has now put pen to paper on a new contract with manager Luis Enrique assuring him that he still has a role to play in this club. Javier Mascherano is extremely delighted that his club Barcelona still believes he can contribute his quota to the club’s success after he signed a new three year extension deal at the end of July