Samuel Umtiti (Getty Images)
Back in July, Spanish outlet El Mundo Deportivo (h/t The Sun) reported that West Ham had been monitoring Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti alongside Premier League rivals Everton and Arsenal.
And West Ham have now been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of the 26-year-old, who could be released from his contract by the Catalan giants this summer. (Cadena Ser h/t Football London)
Umtiti still has three years left to run on his present deal at Camp Nou. But with new manager Ronald Koeman eyeing up a squad overhaul, the Frenchman could have his contract cancelled and allowed to depart for free to reduce the pressure on the club’s wage bill. (Cadena Ser h/t Football London)
Hence, the recent transfer development surrounding Umtiti should prompt the Hammers to have a real crack at signing the World Cup winner for free before the summer deadline in October.
Born in Cameroon, Samuel Umtiti migrated to France at a young age and began his professional career with Lyon back in 2012.
He gradually went on to establish himself as one of the best young central defenders in France, registering 170 appearances for Lyon before earning a move to Barcelona in the summer of 2016.
Umtiti featured prominently during his first couple of seasons at Camp Nou, playing a key role in the Catalan giants’ triumphant 2017-18 La Liga campaign. However, he has had a torrid time with injuries over the past 18 months, having spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch.
The 26-year-old has made only 27 league appearances for Barcelona over the past couple of seasons due to his repeated struggles with injuries. Umtiti’s poor fitness record has seen Clement Lenglet establish himself as the club’s first-choice central defender alongside Gerard Pique.
It goes without saying that West Ham need to bring in some new defenders this summer after conceding as many as 62 goals en route to their 16th-place finish in the PL last season. It was the fifth-worst defensive record in the entire division.
While filling the void left by the departure of Pablo Zabaleta at right-back remains a top priority, the Hammers should also look to reshuffle their aging central defensive unit.
Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna did a decent job as the club’s first-choice centre-back pairing. But West Ham need to start taking the pressure off the Italian’s shoulders, who is already 32. Fabian Balbuena’s future at the London Stadium remains up in the air.
David Moyes didn’t show a lot of trust in the Paraguayan and it might, therefore, be a good idea for West Ham to bring in an upgrade on him this summer. Winston Reid is currently out on loan in the United States, having not represented the Hammers in a competitive fixture for ages.
So, it goes without saying that West Ham require a top-quality centre-back to sort out their defensive problems. And Samuel Umtiti can be exactly what they need, given his proven track record in France and Spain.
The 26-year-old already boasts more than 280 career appearances for Lyon and Barcelona, meaning that he perfectly fits the bill at West Ham as an experienced defender in his prime years.
It’s not very often that we see top-quality players switching clubs on free transfers. But Samuel Umtiti’s potential contract termination at Barcelona would definitely present an excellent market opportunity for the Hammers to bolster their backline with a world-class talent.
The 26-year-old has struggled with injuries in the recent past. But a free transfer is likely to lower the risk of a move to the London Stadium backfiring. Nevertheless, Umtiti remains an excellent central defender and one who could have a transformative impact on West Ham’s fortunes in the Premier League.