Jeremy Mathieu joins Sporting Lisbon on trial

Barcelona have allowed experienced French defender Jeremy Mathieu to join Sporting Lisbon on trial.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Barcelona had informed Mathieu, who has spent the last three seasons at Camp Nou, was free to leave the club ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

A statement on the Spanish outfit's official website has now revealed that the 33-year-old will spend time with Sporting "on a trial basis", with a view to joining the Portuguese giants in this summer's transfer window.

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

Sporting, who signed Seydou Doumbia on loan from Roma on Friday, are 18-time winners of the Primeira Liga, but they have not landed the top prize in Portuguese football since 2002.