Unai Emery’s Premier League outfit Arsenal reportedly made a bid to sign La Liga champion Samuel Umtiti for around £42m.
Arsenal’s move for Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti appears increasingly unlikely with Football London reporting that there are doubts about his fitness.
It is no secret that head coach Unai Emery is hoping to bring a top quality centre-half to the Emirates this summer with The Gunners conceding over 50 Premier League goals for a second successive season, a major reason why they will finish outside the top four yet again.
And Umtiti, who won La Liga with Barcelona and the World Cup with France in 2018, certainly fits the bill.
Tuttomercatoweb reported recently that Arsenal had made a bid to sign the former Lyon powerhouse on loan with a view to a £42 million permanent move.
But Football London has cast doubt on the switch, pointing out that concerns over Umtiti’s ongoing physical problems could convince Arsenal to look at alternative targets.
The 25-year-old has made just 13 La Liga appearances for Barcelona this season thanks largely to a knee problem that kept him on the sidelines between October and March. Umtiti was even sent to Qatar in the winter for treatment and, since returning to the Barca side, he has looked a shadow of his former self.
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