Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has said that Atletico Madrid have pulled off a coup by signing Argentine international Matias Kranevitter.

Atletico secured the 22-year-old's signature in the summer transfer window, but he returned immediately to River Plate, where he will remain on loan until January.

Mascherano has branded the midfielder "a very good player" and claimed that Atletico have done good business in securing his services.

"[Kranevitter's] a very good player," he told Mundo Deportivo. "He has a very significant margin for growth, but he's also a player who already possesses a lot of quality.

"He's won titles in Argentina and above all knows what it takes to play for a big team. Atletico are right to sign him."

Kranevitter is part of the latest Argentina squad that are preparing to face Paraguay in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.