Samuel Umtiti could be on his way back to former club Lyon in the summer, with Les Gones interested in re-signing the Barcelona outcast.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Samuel Umtiti is the subject of interest from former club Lyon over a possible move in the summer transfer window. But the Ligue 1 giants are not completely sold on the idea of re-signing the Barcelona outcast due to his fitness issues.
Samuel Umtiti was widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in Europe when he joined Barcelona from Lyon in July 2016. The Frenchman made an immediate impact at Camp Nou and seemed to be a potential long-term solution at the back for the Blaugrana. But injuries have plagued the 28-year-old in the last few years, rendering him a bit-part player at Camp Nou.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is now completely out of favour at Barcelona and is currently on the sidelines due to a foot injury, meaning he has turned out just once thus far this term. Umtiti’s continued struggles have prompted Barcelona to consider selling him several times in the last few years, with Lyon emerging as a possible summer destination.
Umtiti has been heavily linked with Lyon several times in the last few years, with Les Gones weighing up the prospect of re-signing him on some occasions. But a move never materialised, although the Ligue 1 giants find themselves with their best chance of re-signing the French centre-back, who has reached his lowest ebb at Barcelona.
Lyon will need to delve into the market for a central defender in the summer transfer window, as Jason Denayer will likely depart the Groupama Stadium as a free agent. Coincidentally, the Belgian international has been heavily linked with a Bosman move to Barcelona, with several other clubs in his pursuit.
In addition to Denayer, Jerome Boateng could also leave Lyon in the summer transfer window, thereby necessitating the arrival of a centre-back. Umtiti has thus emerged as a viable target for Lyon. But the Ligue 1 giants are not completely sold on re-signing the Barcelona outcast due to his fitness issues in the last few years.
For now, what appears certain is that Umtiti has no future at Barcelona, who will look to offload him and two other defenders in the summer transfer window. It remains to be seen if the 28-year-old will rejoin former club Lyon or if some other team swoops him away instead.
