Barcelona have only a few days in which to agree terms with Valencia for Jeremy Mathieu or turn their attention elsewhere.
Reports from Spain, including AS and Mundo Deportivo, say that if the clubs don’t come to an agreement before Tuesday, the deal won’t go ahead.
Valencia leave then for a South American tour and Mathieu will be on it unless Barca raise their offer for the defender to match his €20m release clause.
Thus far, Barca’s offers haven’t topped €15m and Valencia have rejected them all.
Valencia are also discussing a new contract for Mathieu as AS report they are confident the captain will remain at the club.
Mathieu has publically called for Valencia to accept Barca’s offer but MD claim Barca are leaning towards their alternative, Ajax’s Daley Blind.
Blind is currently on holiday in Barcelona, as is Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars, and while Blind would cost more than Mathieu, he is six years younger and more versatile.
The agent of the Netherlands international, Rob Jansen, has suggested there is truth to the rumour linking the Catalans to his client, although he could still follow former Netherlands Coach Louis van Gaal to Manchester United.
