It has been reported by the Spanish publication that Arsenal, West Ham United, Everton, Lyon, Marseille and Rennes all made contact with Barcelona about signing the defender in the summer transfer window.
That was before the France international suffered his latest injury setback, according to the report, which has added that it is inevitable that the 26-year-old will leave Barca this summer.
Risking signing for Arsenal
There is no doubt that Umtiti is hugely talented, with his Barcelona teammate and Argentine superstar Lionel Messi raving about him not so long ago.
Messi told the January 2018 edition of World Soccer: “[Umtiti] trains in the same way he plays. He doesn’t leave anything in reserve; he’s an excellent person away from the pitch as well. Seeing how he trains, I’m not surprised at what he does in matches, I see all his qualities.”
However, given the injury problems the Frenchman has had in recent years, it would be a risk for Arsenal to sign the 26-year-old.
Moreover, with David Luiz staying at the Emirates Stadium for one more season, there is an argument to be made that head coach Mikel Arteta does not need another centre-back, unless of course, he decides to sell one of them this summer.
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