Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has revealed that he is desperate for Catalan boss Pep Guardiola to sign a new contract with the club.

Guardiola has yet to agree a new deal with the European Champions, but Mascherano has heaped praise on the 41-year-old for converting him from a midfielder to a defender.

"Guardiola is very important to me. He is the coach who trusted me to come to Barcelona and also provided me with the necessary conditions to be able to change my position," the 27-year-old told reporters.

"Without the help of my coach, that would have been impossible. I owe it to him that I am now playing in the centre of defence."

Mascherano has 79 Argentine caps to his name.