Barcelona outcast Samuel Umtiti has reportedly turned down an approach from Turkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce over a January loan move.
According to a report from Sport, out-of-favour Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has rejected the chance to join Fenerbahce on loan as he prefers to move to a team with a better sporting project.
Umtiti joined Barcelona in the summer of 2016, arriving from French giants Olympique Lyon. The 28-year-old enjoyed a stunning debut season at Camp Nou, but it has all gone downhill ever since as he has struggled with a chronic knee injury. The Frenchman has fallen way down the pecking order in Catalonia and has been out of favour for quite some time now.
However, he remains a Barcelona player, despite the club’s multiple attempts to offload him. Umtiti is one of the Catalans’ highest-earners. They are again trying to get rid of the experienced centre-half in the ongoing January transfer window as they look to free up space on the wage bill to register new signing Ferran Torres.
Given the Frenchman’s wages, though, there are not a lot of suitors for his services. However, Fenerbahce had emerged as a prospective interested party to secure the signing of the 28-year-old French international this month. The Turkish giants are currently fourth in the Super Lig table and are keen on making an upward surge to ensure safe passage to European football next term.
With the worst defensive record in the top-six currently, they are hoping to bolster their centre-back department in January. Furthermore, there have been doubts over the future of Attila Szalai, who is a transfer target for reigning European champions Chelsea. If he ends up departing, Fenerbahce will need a new defender to replace him.
However, as per the report mentioned above, a move for Barcelona outcast Umtiti looks off the table now. The 28-year-old Frenchman has turned down their approach for a loan move in the January transfer window as he hopes to join a team with a better sporting project where he can stand a chance of challenging for trophies.
So, it seems like Barcelona’s efforts to offload Umtiti are likely to continue for the foreseeable future. In case he continues to knock back offers, the report adds that the Blaugrana could consider terminating his contract.
