Ronald Koeman has told Samuel Umtiti that he is free to leave Barcelona this summer with Everton, West Ham United and Arsenal all linked with the £23 million World Cup winner, according to the Guardian.
Given that he would give sworn enemy Louis van Gaal a run for his money when it comes to an uncompromising approach to dealing with his dressing room, it should be no surprise that Koeman is already throwing his weight around at the Camp Nou.
The legendary Dutchman was handed his dream job just last week but it hasn’t taken him long to shake up an underperforming, ageing squad.
According to the Guardian, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and even Luis Suarez, the third-highest goal-scorer in Barcelona’s history, have been told in no uncertain terms to clear out their lockers and pack their bags.
After years of living off past glories, the La Liga runners-up are looking to the future at last.
And it seems that Umtiti will play no part in a regeneration project that is long overdue, kicked into life by that 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich and a dramatic collapse in the La Liga title race.
Koeman called the World Cup-winning Frenchman on Monday and made it clear that the defender is not part of his plans.
Dumped over the phone. Oh the indignity.
A relentless series of injuries, from knee knocks to muscle strains, have restricted Umtiti to 23 La Liga starts since the beginning of the 2018/19 season.
He has since fallen behind fellow Frenchman Clement Lenglet in the pecking order.
Arsenal, Everton and West Ham have all expressed their admiration, according to Mundo Deportivo last month, though the Gunners may have bowed out of the race with Gabriel Magalhaes set to become the left-footed centre-half Mikel Arteta is pining for.
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