It is being reported in the media today that Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has told his teammates that he will not stay with the club if he does not get more regular first team football.
It is no secret that we are interested in the 25-year-old and the Spanish champions are apparently open to allowing the centre-back to leave, especially as they are keen on bringing in another defender in Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt this summer.
It has also been reported that Barca is looking to sell players to raise funds for their own acquisition which means that they may well be open to selling the France World cup winner for less than the touted valuation of £77 Million.
So, the scene is set for Umtiti to leave the Nou Camp in the summer but what are the chances that we will succeed in landing a player said to be one of Unai Emery’s main targets?
I would say good, yes, he would be expensive but I am sure he will be available for less than £77 Million and anything nearer £50 Million would definitely put us in the frame, especially if we do qualify for the Champions League next season.
Man Utd looks like being our main competitors, however, I am not sure they have Umtiti as a priority and if they fail to finish top four, which is looking likely in my opinion, then they would not be as attractive an option as what we would be.
The bottom line for me is that this one is looking like it may just happen.