Man Utd favourites to land Barca star with Arsenal ‘under construction’
Man Utd are the favourites to land Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti ahead of Arsenal this summer, according to a report.
The Red Devils have made a new centre-back one of their priorities for the summer transfer window as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks for a long-term partner for England international Harry Maguire.
Raphael Varane seems to be their main target with Real Madrid yesterday giving the Frenchman the ‘green light’ to pursue a deal.
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However, a report yesterday claimed that Man Utd see Joachim Andersen as their failsafe if a move for Varane falls through, while they have also been heavily linked with Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
Barcelona are reportedly looking to get their wage bill down this summer as they desperately try to find funds to provide Lionel Messi with the contract he desires.
Umtiti is one player who could be leaving the club this summer after struggling with injuries in recent seasons at the Camp Nou.
The France international could only manage eight starts in all competitions last term and Spanish website Gol Digital claim that the centre-back rejected an offer from Barca for the ‘dissolution’ of his contract.
Despite that, he could still be on the move this summer with Man Utd and Arsenal both looking into a possible transfer as he fits the ‘characteristics and profile’ they are looking for.
Umtiti ‘could be a perfect fit in the Premier League’ with Man Utd ‘very tempted’ and considered the favourites over Arsenal, who are ‘under construction’.
It is understood that their eighth-placed Premier League finish and lack of European football could be a ‘disadvantage’ but ‘a good sum of money’ could see the Gunners jump that hurdle.
Another report a couple of days ago in Spanish newspaper Sport reckoned that Umtiti was now open to a loan move this summer with Barca hoping to get him off their wage bill this season.
Umtiti has won 31 caps for France and was part of the Didier Deschamps side that won the 2018 World Cup and he could be a valuable player if he can leave his injury problems behind.