Barcelona are in a tough battle to land one of their transfer targets this summer.
French defender Jeremy Mathieu has been heavily linked with the Spanish club but so far a deal hasn’t been completed. The main obstacle facing Barcelona is that €20 million fee that Valencia have put on their star defender, according to Marca.
The Spanish paper argues that the Catalan side wants 30-year-old defender and that Mathieu also wants to move away from Valencia. However, Barcelona are unwilling to match the fee that Valencia are sticking to.
This has led to a standoff between the two clubs, with Valencia confident they will be able to keep hold of their man.
Mathieu joined his current club from French side Toulouse in 2009. His he previously made 112 league appearances for the Ligue 1 club, becoming an integral member of their squad.
At Valencia the defender, who can play at centre half and left back, has made over 120 appearances in all competitions and has managed to chip in with three goals.
Barcelona are going through something of a transition period after a disappointing season. Their new manager Luis Enrique has already rung the changes, with young players like Deulofeu being made part of the squad for the coming year and given the chance to establish themselves.
Other star players have been allowed to leave Spain. Alexis Sanchez has moved to Arsenal while Jose Mourinho has snapped up midfielder Cesc Fabregas at Chelsea.
Their intent to reshape the club was confirmed with the £75 million signing of Luis Suarez earlier in the month. Enrique and the Barcelona board are likely to bring in other recruits in the coming weeks as they look to once again challenge for major honours in the 2014/15 season and beyond.
Let’s have a look at the lad in action. Barcelona fans: would this be the perfect addition to the squad now that Luis Suarez has joined the club?
Justin
Jul 17, 2014 at 9:25 pm
They should sell Xavi and buy De Vrij, Blind and Wijnaldum.
Michael holuwatobi
Jul 17, 2014 at 9:41 pm
More than a club- up barca
TC
Jul 18, 2014 at 6:27 am
They should Bring YayaToure back home and Cuandrado if they want to win champions league and a challenge Real Madrid on Liga. Any defender will be okay for me
Hollanrewaju haddisa
Jul 18, 2014 at 8:29 am
Fcbarcelona darector the main thing he did not bring it for our barca team pls wil need strong new defender defore next season wil start
Olalekan Tajudeen Ajao
Jul 18, 2014 at 8:56 am
Pls barca forget about Mattieu go sign Hummel, Cuadrado, Marquinoes, and Vertoghen, up barca, viscal barca.
andres lujan
Jul 18, 2014 at 8:57 am
pls barcelona shd all means sign three center back this summer and again luis enrique shd hve brought some of his center backs
andres roro lujan onnsi boy
Jul 18, 2014 at 9:13 am
pls we need strong defenderz this summer atleast four or more will be great
Emmanuel
Jul 18, 2014 at 10:21 am
To me mathew is old and will not give the strengh n comand baca nid at the DF to me HUMELS will be a good investment not mathew
Adeniji Adeyeni
Jul 18, 2014 at 12:45 pm
Bringing mattiu 2baca is poor signing plz,dis president u av try but try finish we nid Hummel at baca plz God we help u.up baca.or yaya.
Adam
Jul 18, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Barca should stop chasing a 2 Senior International Caps defender at the age of 30 and focus on younger defenders like Marquinhos, Sahko, Mangala, Hummels etc. Cuadrado is a good shout as well.
Would rather use Bartra than Matthieu
Allow Mascherano to play in midfield as he has done so well doing all world cup.
Formation next season:
Neymar, Suarez, Messi
Iniesta
Busquest, Mascherano
Alba, Pique, Hummels, Alves or Cuadrado
Bravo
ifedayo alex fisayo
Jul 18, 2014 at 5:46 pm
pls. forget about mattheu is over age 30yrs old, try to get young center back defender. up barca- one love.
Samuel Dolo
Jul 18, 2014 at 5:52 pm
For me, Mathieu is old to fill in the gap left by the defense minister Puyol. We need a defender who we will hope on for a long period, but if he is to fill the gap for two seasons temporarily then the board decision should prevail.
unimax
Jul 18, 2014 at 6:35 pm
pls barca board of trustees should go for younger defenders, like mat Hummels Vartoghen or even marquinos, players that can play 8 or 10 years. matthiew is too old.
idris armani
Jul 18, 2014 at 7:13 pm
4 me I would prefer matt hummels than mathuie because he is 2 hold 4 my liking nd hummels is younger and physical.
Jaures
Jul 18, 2014 at 9:14 pm
We want hummels or a 20-25 aged defender lyk rojo.