Arsenal are reportedly battling Serie A outfit Roma to sign Barcelona’s La Liga champion Samuel Umtiti.
Arsenal are in pole position to sign Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti this summer with fellow suitors Roma now looking at alternative options, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
The future of the French World Cup winner has been cast into doubt in recent weeks, with Barcelona allegedly prioritising a big-money deal for Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt.
Goal claimed in March that the La Liga champions could cash in on Umtiti, who they paid almost £25 million for, in order to finance a deal for the teenage Dutchman.
And Arsenal appear to have identified the former Lyon powerhouse as a top summer target.
Tuttomercatoweb claimed that the Gunners have made an offer to sign Umtiti on loan with the view to a potential £38.5 million permanent deal while head coach Unai Emery described him as ‘very good’ in an interview with RMC Sport (7 April, 2.30pm).
Now, Tuttomercatoweb have provided an update on the situation, and it looks like good news for Arsenal.
TMW claim that the North London giants are ‘definitely on pole’ to bring Umtiti to the Emirates, so much so that Roma have now turned their attention towards a £23 million move for Atalanta’s Italy international Gianluca Mancini.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
