Samuel Umtiti has been a revelation at Barcelona this season. Playing alongside Catalan veteran Gerard Piqué, he has ensured that Barcelona are still undefeated in La Liga, with only eight matches remaining.
The 24-year-old has slotted in at left centre-back seamlessly as a long-term replacement for Javier Mascherano who departed for the Chinese Super League this January.
It's no surprise that he has attracted interest from Europe's elite clubs, one of whom being Manchester United. He has confirmed to José Mourinho that he would consider a move to Old Trafford but warned him he faces competition to secure the defender's signature.
"It’s not only Manchester United, other clubs want me as well, but my sole focus is on Barcelona", Umtiti told Canal FC .
The Frenchman insisted he was content at Barça, but hinted at the possibility of a move away.
"
"It was my dream to play at Barça. And I achieved it when I was just 22. I’m very happy here, whenever I play and whenever I train.
"Negotiations for a contract renewal have not started yet. My release clause is low, but that’s not what I worry about, I focus on the pitch."
Every player in La Liga has a buyout clause, meaning that even if the club have no intention of selling a player, if a potential buyer meets the price stated in the player's contract, it is completely up to the player as to whether they move.
It's this stipulation that saw Neymar able to leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea have also been linked with Umtiti in recent months, and they will have the financial reserves to make a substantial offer.
But given Barça's success this season, with a league and Champions League double still on the cards, it's hard to imagine Umtiti forcing a move away.
The disparity between Ancelotti and the rest! The highest paid managers at the World Cup have been ranked, with Carlo Ancelotti clearly winning. We’ve ranked them from 10 to 1, in research by Gambling.com, who rank and compare top-rated UK gambling websites… In 10th placed comes Mexico coach Javier Aguirre. Earning his dosh well after […]
Sounds like squeaky bum time Following the goalless draw in group fixture two against Ghana, England has a potential “nightmare” World Cup run in the knockout stages. While the draw wasn’t a terrible result in itself, Thomas Tuchel’s side may now have a much trickier knockout stage ahead. The Three Lions still have high chances […]
Sounds like a win-win As you’re binge-watching the FIFA World Cup this year, you can stock up on crowd-pleasing food and drinks that keep you fuelled from kickoff to the final whistle. Thanks to Sainsbury’s which has come up some amazing deals, you can pretty much consider yourself all set during the tournament. England fans […]