MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal target Samuel Umtiti could leave Barcelona for FREE, according to reports.
Mundo Deportivo reports the French defender could see his contract, which runs until 2023, RIPPED UP as Barcelona consider letting him leave for nothing.
Samuel Umtiti could leave Barcelona for freeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Umtiti, 26, has slipped behind countryman Clement Lenglet in the Catalan giants’ pecking order.
Persistent injuries have hampered his progress at the Nou Camp.
The centre-back managed just 13 LaLiga appearances last season as Barca surrendered the league title to El Clasico rivals Real Madrid.
He also tested positive for Covid-19 before the club’s 8-2 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich last month.
And now is the latest player to be cast aside by new Barca boss Ronald Koeman.
The former Holland chief has already offloaded Ivan Rakitic and told Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal they are NOT in his future plans.
Rakitic took a massive pay-cut to rejoin Sevilla while Juventus are poised to sign Suarez – IF he passes an Italian language test.
And Umtiti could also be shown the exit door with a number of Premier League clubs interested including Arsenal and Man Utd.
The Red Devils reportedly received the green light to sign Umtiti earlier this year as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bids to find a long-term partner for Harry Maguire.
It was previously suggested Umtiti’s availability could spark a three-way tussle between the Gunners, West Ham and Everton.
And the report from Spain states there is talk he could be offered up to old side Lyon as a ploy to lure former United flop Memphis Depay to the Blaugrana.
However, it is unclear if Lyon are keen to have Umtiti back in their ranks.
The player is desperate to get back in the France team for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament next year.
He missed the cut for Didier Deschamps’ squad for the Nations League games against Sweden and Croatia.
And Umtiti needs game time if he is to add to his 31 international caps.
Harry Maguire played more minutes than any other footballer in the world in 2019-20
Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti shows off his impressive ball control in training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
