Barcelona has reportedly cashed out $27 million or £15.8 million for Valencia's Jeremy Mathieu, to top off a release clause of $68 million or £40 million for the player.

The 30- year- old player spent a half decade with the Galician club, where he made 126 appearances as the left- back.

Now, he becomes the world's most expensive defender above 30 year old.

"FC Barcelona and València CF have reached agreement for the transfer of the French player, Jérémy Mathieu," read a statement on the club's website.

"Jérémy Mathieu will sign a contract with FC Barcelona for the next four seasons, plus an optional season more. The cost of the transfer is 20 million Euros and the buyout clause will be 50 million Euros."

The Frenchman will join the ranks of Luis Suarez, Claudio Bravo, Marc- Andre ter Stegen and Ivan Rakitic, who were also bought by Barcelona this summer.

They are to join FIFA Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi, and Brazil's talisman, Neymar Jr.

This transfer becomes a surprise because of the fee given to the non- World Cup player. Mathieu is also quite older than most players.

An ex- Barcelona defender has been outspoken about the surprised transfer. He says he doubts the said deal.

Rafael Marquez said, via RAC1: "I don't think he (Mathieu) has the profile to play for Barcelona and even less so for this price."

"Hopefully they'll think well about this and if they're going to splash out like that, it's for someone who is actually worthwhile."

It can be remembered that Barcelona also spent a fortune costing £75 million or $127 million on Suarez's transfer from Liverpool to Barca.

Like this deal, the transfer was doubtful because Suarez is currently in a four- month, nine- match ban because of his biting incident at the recently concluded World Cup. This may mean that he may not be even able to play in half of the Premiere League.

With reports from: independent.co.uk