Newcastle have suffered a blow in their pursuit of a loan deal for Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti. That is, after the Spanish side confirmed on Monday the Frenchman has broken his foot in training, and needs surgery.
Umtiti, 28, signed a new contract at Barcelona earlier this month – taking a pay cut, in order to allow Ferran Torres to be registered at the Nou Camp. But The Mail report that he could still go on loan, and Newcastle are keen.
Indeed, the Frenchman has only played once for Barcelona this season – and now, he has suffered a broken foot in training. Barcelona have confirmed on their website that Umtiti will now be forced to undergo surgery.
In turn, Umtiti is likely to be on the sidelines for the next few months – and Newcastle will be unable to bring the defender to the club, even on loan. Indeed, the £21million signing (GOAL) would fail a medical at Newcastle.
Umtiti to Newcastle blow: Toon desperately need a centre-back
It will be of little surprise that Umtiti is not the highest name on the club’s centre-back shortlist. Sven Botman, Benoit Badiashile and Diego Carlos remain the priority, but Umtiti might have been a good back-up option.
But losing the option of Umtiti, even on loan, will be a blow to Newcastle’s hopes of bringing one or two centre-backs in the next fortnight. Plenty of work to do for Amanda Staveley and the Saudi Arabia PIF, then.
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