Besiktas have reportedly launched an ambitious transfer pursuit for Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu.
That’s according to NTVSpor.net (h/t Sport), who stated the Turkish side have bid €7 million (£5.86 million) for the centre-back. It’s reported Besiktas president Fikret Orman is the driving force behind the offer, with the club's interest in Thomas Vermaelen fizzling out.
The 32-year-old has been a dependable presence at the base of the Barcelona team since he joined from Valencia in the summer of 2014. While he’s not been a regular starter, Mathieu has done a fine job filling in for either Gerard Pique or Javier Mascherano in the heart of defence and occasionally for Jordi Alba at left-back.