Toure's move funds Barca bid for Masch

Barcelona are ready to use every penny they receive from Yaya Toure's £28million sale to Manchester City in a bid to sign Javier Mascherano from Liverpool.

However, Nou Camp scouts were so impressed with Wilson Palacios's display for Honduras against Spain that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has leaped to the top of their list of alternatives.

The Catalans are well aware that Inter Milan are also very keen on Mascherano and new San Siro boss Rafa Benitez enjoyed a good relationship with the 26-year-old.

Mascherano was keen to join Barca 12 months ago but seemed to knuckle down at Liverpool last season and signalled his intention to stay.

However, negotiations on an improved contract proved protracted and were shelved before he left to captain Argentina at the World Cup.

If Barca fail to land Mascherano for the second summer in a row, they believe White Hart Lane enforcer Palacios would be a cheaper alternative.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.