Decisive hours in Barça's Mathieu pursuit

Decisive hours in Barça's Mathieu pursuit

The signing of Valencia central defender Jeremy Mathieu has now entered what could prove a decisive 24 hours. 

Barcelona are continuing to negotiate with the hope that they can reduce the €20 million release clause which Los Che continue to point towards.

However, conscious of Barça's increasing urgency to sign a centre-back, Valencia don't seem prepared to knock even €1 off the price.

On Monday, the player trained with the rest of his current teammates, even though last week he had asked the club to let him leave and requested they negotiate his clause with Barcelona.

Nuno Espirito Santo continues to treat Mathieu as a normal member of his squad, although the 30-year-old hasn't featured in either of Valencia's pre-season fixtures to date.

Mathieu will once again train with Valencia on Tuesday, in a double session. 

On Wednesday, Valencia are due to depart for the next phase of their preparations for the new campaign... which is in South America, where they will play matches against Alianza and Universidad Catolica.

And still it is €5 million which separates the two clubs.

Valencia's reluctance to lower the price and Barça's rush to fill a gap they have sturggled to fill could eventually lead to Barça giving in and paying the €20 million.