Barcelona are reportedly preparing a bid for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, who the Merseyside club are preparing to offload during the winter transfer window according to Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo.

The Argentine central midfielder, who holds an Italian passport, was a summer target for the Blaugrana and had showed signs of a desire to make the switch before Reds boss Rafael Benitez insisted he would not be leaving.

Now however the Merseyside club are understood to be ready to cash in on Mascherano and use the cash to strengthen their attacking options and put an end to their over reliance on Fernando Torres for goals.

Barca are reportedly waiting to see how the market plays out during the winter window before making a bid but should another club declare their interest in signing the 25-year-old the Catalan giants are ready to show their hand.

The report also suggests that any approach for Mascherano would have no effect on Barca's intention to add a forward to their ranks with Robinho and Luis Suarez topping the list of possible signings.

Should Mascherano make the switch, he will join Dmytro Chygrynskiy on the cup-tied list for the UEFA Champions League.