Arsenal and Tottenham set to fight it out for the signature of Samuel Umtiti.
The Frenchman was on the radar of Arsenal when he turned out for Olympique Lyon, but he moved to Camp Nou instead.
He started life in Spain as an undisputed starter, but injuries forced him out of the first team and he has been struggling to get back in.
Barcelona has trusted Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique to lead their defence so far and their form has made it almost impossible for Umtiti to get back into the team.
He has started just four league games this season and the lack of action may force him to move.
A report from Spanish outlet El Desmarque claims that Umtiti is interesting a number of English sides, including Arsenal and Tottenham.
They are also reporting that Barca is prepared to listen to offers Umtiti.
The Gunners have had defensive issues this season and the recent injury to Calum Chambers has made signing a defender this month a top priority.
Umtiti seems to fit the profile of a defender that Mikel Arteta would like and Spaniard may try and force the board to move for him.
Umtiti is one of La Liga’s best defenders, but his persistent injury problems may give Arsenal some cause for concern.
This is one rumour that just will not go away, all last summer Arsenal was linked with a move for the 26-year-old and nothing has changed in that regards this January.
If he is unable to get back into the Barca first team you have to think that he will want a move away from the Spanish champions and if Arsenal continues to hesitate they could end up missing out.
Let Spuds get him
We get a young EPL CB instead
Young EPL CB? Like who for instance?
Fikayo Tomori and Caglar Soyuncu
Ah got it/so we should be in a position to sign one or either then will we? Chelsea rate him highly enough to make him a near first team regular and they obviously won’t stand in his way coming to Arsenal because……?
Soyuncu “ should” have been bought 18 months ago I agree.How we ended up with Sokritis instead I will never know.But he will cost us a small fortune to get now.Good player this lad
Agree. 26 is extremely old. I’m surprised he can walk without a walking stick or zimmer frame
To name a few..
N. Ake
B. Godfrey
T. Mings
A. Christiansen
I. Diop
C. Cody
M. Keane
J. Lascalles
Ok that’s a good list-but how many are better than what we have?
N.Ake definitely yes
B.Godfrey too early to call imo
T.Mings yeah he could be just perfect
A.Christiansen. Not good enough for chavs so why us?
I.Diop stands out in poor West Ham defence.Who couldnt
C.Cody not at our level imo
M.Keane can’t get in at Everton.The Iwobi of the defence.
J.Lascalles is at the level his talent deserves
None of them are world class.
If Jerome Boateng 32 and Christian Eriksen 28 will fit the bill at Arsenal this water campaign to help Mikel Arteta implement his style of play towards achieving a PL table four-place finish and also win the ELC this season, I think the club should sign Boateng on a six month loan deal from Bayern Munchen as temporary replacement to the season ending injured Culum Chambers. And they could even extend his loan to next winter to cover for a full 2 winter window season loan deal if he does well in the six months loan period. And Eriksen could also be signed permanently this January window by the club say on a three and half year deal. I think if Arsenal pulled these two deals through this winter window, the club should be okay I should think till next summer window when they’ll as expected review their first team squad for the regular seasonal revamping and upgrading.
Ake or Mings for me, but neither will happen.
Eriksen? Never!
Please all do yourselves a favour and read “Have you ever felt that you are being treated like an idiot by journalists” on Untold Arsenal. I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. I would not normally refer here to another Arsenal blog, but this is just too good to miss.
Cmon dude This is getting awkward. El Desmarque?? Really??