MADRID, July 1 -- FC Barcelona have given 33-year-old defender Jeremy Mathieu permission to train with Sporting Lisbon, opening the way for a possible move to the Portuguese club.

The former Valencia player, who joined Barca in 2017, still has a season left on his contract, but the club would probably allow him to move on a free transfer to open up a further place in their first team squad.

"FC Barcelona has granted permission for defender Jeremy Mathieu to train on a trial basis during his holidays with Sporting Club de Portugal... Once this period is over, the two clubs and the Frenchman will make a decision on the player's future,"

Mathieu has made over 90 appearances for Barca in central defense and at left back, but has never been first choice, playing either as a substitute or when Gerard Pique or Javier Mascherano have been injured.

The arrival of Samuel Umtiti last summer pushed him further down the pecking order and a series of injury problems limited him to just 16 appearances in the 2016-17 season. Now the arrival of 21-year-old Brazilian Marlos Santos means new Barca coach, Ernesto Valverde appears happy to let the Frenchman continue his career elsewhere.

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