Barcelona priced out of moves for Fabregas and Mascherano, but they insist deals are not dead

Bareclona have claimed only the transfer inflation caused by Real Madrid's mad spending spree stopped them buying Javier Mascherano and Cesc Fabregas this summer.

But director of football Txiki Begiristain claimed the pursuit of the two midfielders is "something the club has left for later".

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has insisted Mascherano is not for sale, following the departure of Xabi Alonso to Madrid for £30million as part of the Bernabeu club's £200m recruitment drive.

Fabregas, meanwhile, who is under contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2013, has repeatedly stated his loyalty to Arsenal.

Barcelona made only one major summer signing, with the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a swap deal for Samuel Eto'o.

But the reigning European champions are clearly still intent on luring one or both of Mascherano or Fabregas to Catalonia - and look set to continue to their public wooing even with the transfer window now closed.

Begiristain added: "Mascherano and Cesc did not come because of financial difficulties. It was impossible to pay the kind of money asked for after the spending of Real Madrid."