Arsenal and Man United miss out as Mathieu gets Barcelona wish

Barcelona have completed the signing of Manchester United and Arsenal target Jeremy Mathieu.

Barca boss Luis Enrique has been desperately trying to add new faces to his threadbare backline following Carles Puyol's retirement.

And Valencia defender Mathieu, who recently converted from full-back to centre-half, has been high on his wanted list for some time.

United and Arsenal, both in the markets for defensive reinforcements this summer, have also been heavily linked with the 30-year-old Frenchman.

But Mathieu has been doing his best to force through a move to the Nou Camp and, as talkSPORT told you last month, even met with Valencia's sporting director in a bid to get the ball rolling.

And now he has got his wish after sealing an incredible four-year deal at Barca, with an option of a further year, after the clubs agreed a £15.75m fee.