Once favourites for Samuel Umtiti, West Ham missed a gem

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West Ham United were reportedly favourites to sign Samuel Umtiti only two years ago.

In recent seasons, centre-back has arguably been West Ham United’s strongest position.

Manager David Moyes and predecessor Slaven Bilic have both had plenty of very decent centre-halves to work with at West Ham. Whether they were always fit or not is another thing.

But time has proven that the Irons might have missed out on the best one of all.

Sky Sports reported toward the end of May in 2016 that the Hammers – then under Bilic – were “leading the race” to sign Samuel Umtiti from Lyon.

The 24-year-old was within West Ham’s price range at the time, having ultimately joined Barcelona for around £21.8 million, and considering his price-tag now it’s probably fair to say that he has fulfilled his potential as one of Europe’s finest young central defenders.

According to CIES, Football Observatory, Umtiti is now worth a staggering £98.9 million and it makes you wonder if the East Londoners would be in the trouble they’re in at the moment had Bilic actually pulled it off.

Of course, one player isn’t enough to dramatically change the fortunes of any team – especially not a centre-back – but West Ham, who are two points above the relegation zone, could have got a couple of brilliant seasons out of Umtiti before selling him for an absolute fortune.

They never stood a chance when Barcelona entered the running, but if they really were leading the race to sign him at one point then you wonder if the club’s hierarchy should have done everything within their power to get the deal done as soon as possible.