Barcelona defender set for Portugal switch

 

Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu is closing in on a move to Liga NOS giants Sporting Clube de Portugal according to O Jogo. 

 

The experienced Frenchman flattered to deceive for the La Liga giants last season and gained a WhoScored rating of just 6.79 from 13 league appearances, with his last league outing coming in the 2-0 loss at Malaga back in April. 

 

The Blaugrana are expected to undergo a vast overhaul of personnel this summer as Ernesto Valverde assembles a squad capable of wrestling the La Liga crown back from Real Madrid. 

 

However, Mathieu has been informed he has no future at Camp Nou, with Valverde eager to bring in a new centre-back, which has seen Barcelona linked with moves for Cesar Azpilicueta and Davinson Sanchez, of Chelsea and Ajax respectively. 

 

Barcelona defender set for Portugal switch

 

And the 33-year-old is now on the brink of a move to Sporting as head coach Jorge Jesus strives to improve his club’s centre-back options. 

 

The Portuguese outfit are also in the market for a new centre-back following Ruben Semedo’s move to La Liga side Villarreal.