Jeison Murillo joins Barcelona on loan from Valencia

Valencia centre-back Jeison Murillo will join Barcelona on loan until the end of the season, the LaLiga club have confirmed via a statement on their website. The Colombian international, 26, travelled to the Catalan capital today to seal a move to the Blaugrana, who will pay a 2m-euro loan fee and will have the option to make the deal permanent for 25m euros in the summer.

"Valencia CF have reached an agreement with FC Barcelona for the transfer of Colombian international defender Jeison Murillo until June 30, 2019. The agreement includes a purchase option for 25 million euros," the statement read.

Barcelona jump at chance to add Murillo to defensive options

Talks between Valencia and Barça were concluded over the past two days, with the chance to sign Murillo one that the LaLiga champions have jumped at as they seek to ease head coach Ernesto Valverde's selection worries in defence.

With Samuel Umtiti suffering from knee problems this season and Thomas Vermaelen a player who remains dogged by injuries, Barcelona were in serious danger of being left short at the back as the campaign heads into its business end. Club chiefs do not feel that Barça B players such as Chumi, Óscar Mingueza or Jorge Cuenca are ready for regular first-team duty, and view Murillo as an ideal market opportunity.

Displays will decide whether Camp Nou stay extended

The arrival of Murillo will allow Valverde to rest Gerard Piqué and, if Umtiti and Vermaelen continue to be troubled by injury, give the Barça boss a player who can provide Clément Lenglet with competition. Murillo's performances between now and the end of the season will determine whether or not the Catalans opt to extend his stay at the Camp Nou.