Barcelona are encouraging Matheus Fernandes to find himself a new club.

However, the Catalans are reluctant to cut loose the Brazilian midfielder outright.

Instead, Barca have made Matheus available for an eighteen month loan so he can get some regular football under his belt in a settled environment.

The 22 year-old was loaned last season to Real Valladolid, though his time was plagued by injury.

Matheus was snapped up from Palmeiras a year ago.