Mathieu asks Valencia to let him join Barca
Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu met with Rufete on Monday morning to advise him that he wants to sign for Barcelona.
The versatile Frenchman, 30, told los Che's sporting director at a meeting at Hotel Huda in Mas Camarena and explained that he has an offer on the table from Barca which he hopes to take up for next season.
Rufete, on behalf of Valencia, communicated to Mathieu that if he wants to leave the club then it must be to the tune of the relseas clause in his contract - which is €20million - because the club don't wish to see him leave.
Their refusal to let their captain leave clashes with his desire to finish his sporting career at Camp Nou.
On Barcelona's part, they have so far only made an offer for less than €15m.
Over the next few weeks, while Mathieu puts pressure on Valencia, Andoni Zubizarreta could re-open negotiations with Rufete, although, at the moment, both sides have vastly different valuations.
