Arsenal and Manchester United want to sign defender Samuel Umtiti this summer, according to Metro. The defender is surplus to requirements at Barcelona.
Mikel Arteta and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hope to strengthen defensively this summer and both look set to try and sign the 26-year-old.
Samuel Umtiti Wanted by Arsenal and Manchester United
Transfer Listed
Gerad Piqué and fellow defender Clément Lenglet are currently first choice centre-backs at Barcelona, meaning Umtiti struggled for playing time this season. He made 16 appearances and started just nine matches for the Catalan club.
The 26-year-old joined Barcelona in 2016 from Lyon but holding down a regular place at the Camp Nou has been difficult for the France international.
The club want to sell the Frenchman to make funds available for their own summer transfer activity.
Affordable
Umtiti was valued at around £55 million last summer, but he could leave for a cheaper price as his future is uncertain in Spain.
Quique Setien is supposedly keen to keep hold of Umtiti. However, a sufficient offer for the Frenchman could prompt the club to sell.
Arsenal or United?
Manchester United is a more attractive option for Umtiti currently. Solskjaer’s side are fifth in the Premier League and just three points off the Champions League places, although that could matter little depending on whether the season resumes.
United are still linked with Napoli’s Kalidou Kouliably, yet the Italian club value the Senagalese defender at around £90 million. Therefore, Umtiti would be a cheaper alternative, especially with Barcelona wanting to sell.
Arsenal have struggled for most of this season and are ninth in the Premier League. The Gunners improved under Mikel Arteta and lost just one game in all competitions in 2020. However, securing a Champions League place is a difficult task for Arteta this season and he may find it difficult to attract top players in the summer.
Where each team finishes the season could be a deciding factor for Samuel Umtiti. He will want Champions League football, which neither Arsenal or Manchester United are guaranteed.
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