Samuel Umtiti played a key part in France's World Cup win 2018 (Getty Images)
As per Spanish publication Sport (h/t The Express), Barcelona are planning to offload defender Samuel Umtiti with Manchester United interested in signing him.
Umtiti, 26, came through the ranks of Lyon’s youth system and was promoted to the club’s senior team in 2012. He immediately established in the heart of Lyon’s defence and made 170 appearances for the club over four years before moving to the Catalan giants.
He was signed by Barcelona in the summer of 2016 and became the first-choice centre-half alongside Gerard Pique. The £75,000-a-week star helped the club win the La Liga title in the following season and became a key member. His impressive performances also earned him a place in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad, which he eventually went on to win with the French national team.
However, he has struggled with injuries and has not been the same post his World Cup knee surgery and has lost his place in Barcelona team to compatriot Clement Lenglet. He has featured in just 11 league games this season after struggling with another foot injury at the start of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Quique Setien’s men have managed to reach the top of the table after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad. But they have been inconsistent throughout the campaign. Star forward Lionel Messi has been saving them in almost every game as they have struggled without the strike force of Luis Suarez.
One of the chief reasons for their inconsistent performances this season is the lack of stability at the back. Pique and Lenglet have been playing regularly without a proper backup. And the departure of Jean-Clair Todibo has limited their defensive resources. Umtiti is their only backup player in central defence and therefore, letting him leave would make it difficult for the Catalan giants next season.
The 26-year-old has proven himself in the heart of the defence in the past few years and was one of their best players before the surgery. He has the potential to become a top defender but should be given some more time to improve.
Umtiti should be valued by the La Liga giants. He can be a better backup if he is able to recover completely and replicate the same form he showed in the previous campaigns.
The French international has still got room for development and can be their player in the future once Pique falls down the pecking order due to ageing.
Barcelona have only three central defenders in their first-team and Pique is already 33. Selling the former Lyon man at this moment would make it difficult for them if they cannot recruit another established defender in the summer.
Therefore, they should be wise to keep hold of Umtiti as he is just 26 and has a lot more to offer once he is able to overcome his injury troubles.
