Saviola urges Barcelona to snap up Mascherano

Javier Saviola has hinted he'd like to see Barcelona sign his Argentina teammate Javier Mascherano.

Deportivo La Coruna were closing in on the River Plate midfielder before last week's decision by president Augusto Caesar Lendoiro that no signings would be made in January.

Real Madrid were also chasing the 21 year-old, but cooled their interest this month after scouts submitted unflattering reports of the player's recent form.

Barcelona striker Saviola, currently on-loan at AS Monaco, remains a huge fan of Mascherano and said: "He's the best player Argentina has at the moment."

"He is constantly improving and will soon join a big European club."