Arsenal ‘will be offered’ FC Barcelona ‘misfit’ who is ‘surplus to requirements’ in Spain

Lewis Oldham
Arsenal are offered Umtiti

According to reports, Arsenal ‘will be offered the chance to sign’ FC Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti during the summer transfer window.

The 28-year-old progressed through the ranks at Ligue 1 side Lyon. He played 170 times for them before he signed for Barcelona in 2016.

The Spanish giants splashed out around €25m to bring the defender to the Nou Camp.


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Umtiti played 83 times for Barcelona in his first two seasons but he has fallen down the pecking order in recent years.

The centre-back has failed to make 20 appearances in each of the last four campaigns as he has been impacted by injuries. He has only started once in La Liga this term and that outing was back in December.

It was confirmed in January that Umtiti had signed a new contract that runs until 2026. He took a wage reduction to stay on at Barcelona.

The Daily Star are now reporting that the ‘misfit’ is ‘surplus to requirements’ at Barcelona.

Arsenal were interested in him in Janaury and he ‘will be offered’ to the Gunners this summer.

Elsewhere, Barcelona are also reportedly considering the sale of Memphis Depay in the upcoming transfer window, with the club desperate to raise funds.

Having been previously linked with both Arsenal and Tottenham, Spanish outlets ABC and Fichajes (via the Express & Sport Witness) have added fellow Londoners, West Ham, to the mix.

It is said that the Catalan club are looking to ‘get rid of the players’ who are not in Xavi’s plans, with ABC stating that Depay is one player they are open to selling and his departure would be a ‘great deal’.

West Ham have ‘made contact’ and are ‘interested’ in signing the attacker, however, their lack of Champions League football makes them the ‘most remote option’.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are in the market for a new striker with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract at the end of the season.

ABC add that the Gunners have ‘submitted an enquiry’ about the ex-Manchester United man. Juventus are also said to be interested.

As well as Depay, Arsenal are said to be looking at Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Roma’s Tammy Abraham.