Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has reportedly met his Valencia counterpart Francisco Rufete this week to discuss the future of French defender Jeremy Mathieu.

Mathieu has developed into one of the best central defenders in European football over the last couple of seasons, with his form drawing a host of interest.

Barcelona have been strongly linked with a move as the Catalan outfit prepare to overhaul their squad this summer.

According to AS, Zubizarreta and Rufete met on Thursday to discuss the 30-year-old, who currently has a release clause in the region of £17m in his contract.

Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest.