Barça ready to pay €20m Mathieu buyout clause

Barcelona are willing to pay the €20million buyout clause for Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu.

Mathieu was the only player that didn't play a single minute in the friendly on Tuesday night against German club Bayreuth. 

Valencia manager Nuno Espírito Santo said: "What has happened with Jeremy is not a secret.

"We know that Mathieu wants to go to a big club, that are ready to pay the clause to buy him. For us it's not negotiable. If that's the case, we must be prepared and search for other players.

"We love Mathieu, we think he's one of the best defenders in the world, but these things happen."

Valencia president Amadeo Salvo had been blunt when asked about the future of Jeremy Mathieu.

He insisted that Barcelona can only sign the left-back turned central-defender if they pay the buyout clause of €20m. 

"We will not sell Mathieu if the club does not come with €20m in cash," said Salvo. 

The club have previously made an offer for €15m which was rejected.