According to the latest reports, Arsenal are gunning for the transfer of Samuel Umititi along with rivals, Manchester United.
The Barcelona defender understandably is no longer wanted at the Camp Nou due to the club’s rising interest in Matthijs de Ligt.
Ernesto Valverde is looking to sign the Ajax starlet this summer but is aware of how high the transfer might cost. Selling Umtiti could help the Catalan giants raise a part of the mammoth sum for the Dutch centre-back.
Umititi’s new contract with the Blaugrana is expected to last another 4 seasons and has a release clause worth £430m. However, Barcelona have agreed to lower their asking price to £60m only in order to cash in on him after this very season.
The Gunners are in desperate need of more strength in the centre-back position. Their biggest weakness is their backline which Unai Emery will look to address after the 2018/19 season.
He has set his sights on the World Cup winning Frenchman but is facing competition from the Red Devils.
Umtiti’s Barcelona career started off on a high with an immediate starting berth. However, he has fallen below his usual standards lately with an injury to the knee not helping his case this term.
The real question lies in whether he could be a hit at Arsenal and whether Emery will agree to expend £60m on just one player.
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