Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City locked in £76m battle for ex-Liverpool star

Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City are all reportedly interested in snapping up former Liverpool star and Argentina international Javier Mascherano this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo (via the Express).

The Premier League trio, who all finished in the English top-flight’s standings last season, are set to go head-to-head in a three-way battle to land the FC Barcelona midfielder’s signature.

The 31-year-old, who has 123 international caps for his country, made 51 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga champions this season.

Mascherano; who is also said to be attracting interest from Serie A duo Juventus and Inter Milan, has been tipped to leave the Camp Nou this summer, despite still having two years left on his current deal.

The defensive midfielder made 139 appearances for Premier League outfit Liverpool between 2007 and 2010, after arriving at Anfield from West Ham United.

However the report suggests that Mascherano has a gigantic £76m release clause at Barcelona.