Report: Barcelona preparing Jeremy Mathieu bid

Barcelona will reportedly make an official offer for Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu this week.

Mathieu, 30, initially struggled to settle in Spain after moving from Toulouse in 2009, but has developed into one of the best centre-backs in La Liga over the last 12 months.

Barca have long been credited with an interest in the Frenchman, but thus far no official bid has been submitted by the former Spanish champions.

That will change this week, however, according to AS, with the Catalan outfit preparing a move for the experienced defender.

Mathieu's release clause is believed to stand in the region of £17m.