As hints go, the one given by Unai Emery about Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti has to be considered one of the biggest.
We all know that we have been consistently linked with the France international and ever since he lost his starting place alongside Gerard Pique to Clement Lenglet, and recently our hopes of signing the 25-year-old have risen considerably.
This is what Emery told RMC Sport when asked about Umtiti
‘He’s a very good player,’
‘France has a lot of very good footballers who are playing abroad.
‘The French league is a very attractive market for a lot of teams.
‘I’ve always had French players in my teams. At Valencia, Sevilla, PSG and here at Arsenal.
‘I’ve always been able to count on those players.’
That must be as close as you can get to actually saying I want him and will sign him if given the opportunity.
Umtiti will not come cheap, he will cost at least £60 million and you have to think that the manager will seriously consider splashing out that sort of cash, he must know that the defence needs strengthening.
The scene is definitely set for a summer bid, Umtiti’s time at the Nou Camp looks limited, Emery has said he likes him and that he can trust French players and the money is not beyond us, though we will have to qualify for the Champions League I would have thought.
But I think he could be our very own VVD. What do you think?