According to a report from Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona are prepared to let Samuel Umtiti leave for £27 million this summer.
Umtiti prefers to stay at Barcelona beyond the end of this season. However the Spanish champions have already informed him that they are open to offers from other clubs.
The report claims that the Catalans are trying to include the World Cup winner in a deal which would bring Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez to the Camp Nou.
Antonio Conte’s side reportedly like Umtiti, but the Frenchman prefers a move to the Premier League over one to Serie A in the upcoming transfer window.
Arsenal and Manchester United have been credited with an interest this summer (Daily Star) and the Frenchman would be a very good signing for either club.
The Gunners, as they are almost every year, are on the lookout for a new central defender. Umtiti has been a target since his days in Ligue 1 with Lyon and a move could finally be possible now.
Still only 26, Umtiti would be a fantastic signing for Mikel Arteta’s side this summer. The Frenchman has the quality and experience to succeed at Arsenal but his injury record is the big worry.
Since the start of the 2018/19 campaign, Umtiti has missed 42 games (Transfermarkt) due to injury; a terrible record to have at the top level.
Arsenal will certainly be wary of his knee problems, but a player of his quality and age for about £27 million could prove to be a brilliant piece of business if all goes well.
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