Transfers don't always work out and sometimes it makes sense just cut your losses at the earliest point and allow a player to leave on a free transfer. That's exactly what Barcelona have done.
Not all transfers can work out, in fact I'd love to know what percentage of transfers do! Take West Ham United for example, how often do they spend money on a player and it turns out to be a good investment.
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No matter how big the club, no matter how much money spent, it's no guarantee it'll work out. Image: PA
Their signing of strikers certainly hasn't done well in recent years and last season's signings look likes a smorgasbord of averageness with the likes of Andre Ayew, Robert Snodgrass, Edimilson Fernandes, Simeone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri hardly working out for one reason or another.
That's not to pick on the Hammers of course, one could easily pick out disastrous signings for any club including, and in some cases especially, the 'big six,' Even Barcelona don't always get it right.
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Not all transfers work out! Image: PA
When the club spent €20 million on Valencia centre-back Jeremy Mathieu they were probably hoping things would go better but after three less than brilliant seasons at the Camp Nou his time looks set to be up.
According to Goal the French defender is set to be released on a free very soon, one year ahead of his contract running out at the Camp Nou, and Sporting are already in talks to sign him.
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Jeremy Mathieu has only been at Barca since July 2014 but is about to leave the club. Image: PA
The 34 year old played just 16 games in what we'll be his last season in Spain after he suffered from multiple injuries and only started two games from February till the end of the season.
Mathieu played in La Liga for eight seasons having previously played for Valencia before his big money move to Catalunya.
The Frenchman still won two league titles and a Champions League with Luis Enrique so his time at the club wasn't a complete bust.
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