Samuel Umtiti could finally leave Barcelona in the summer, with Arsenal offered the chance to sign the out-of-favour French defender in the summer.
According to an exclusive report by Daily Star, Arsenal could be a potential destination for Samuel Umtiti in the summer transfer window, with Barcelona keen on offloading him ahead of the 2022/23 season. The Gunners might need to invest in a centre-back amid rising uncertainties surrounding William Saliba’s future.
Samuel Umtiti was considered one of the best young defenders in Europe when he joined Barcelona from Lyon in July 2016. The Frenchman initially justified the hype surrounding him and became a pivotal figure for the Blaugrana. But injuries have taken a toll on Umtiti, who has gradually become an afterthought at FC Barcelona.
The 28-year-old has featured just once this season while spending half of the season on the sidelines due to a toe injury. And after falling to the bottom of the pecking order for centre-backs at FC Barcelona, Umtiti could depart from Camp Nou in the summer transfer window, with Arsenal a potential destination.
Arsenal might have to invest in a centre-back for a third successive summer transfer window despite the impressive performances of Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes this season. As Mikel Arteta has brutally found out, strength in depth is a major issue for the Gunners, especially with Konstantinos Mavropanos set to depart from the Emirates permanently.
In addition, William Saliba faces an uncertain future at Arsenal, with Marseille keen on signing him permanently in the summer transfer window following a brilliant 2021/22 campaign by the French youngster. And Arsenal might have to turn towards Saliba’s compatriot Umtiti, who is surplus to requirements at Barcelona.
Recent reports have claimed that Arsenal might be open to selling Saliba in the summer, even though Arteta has insisted that the Frenchman could get his chances in the pre-season. But even if Saliba leaves, Umtiti might not be a viable target, considering his fitness woes during his stint with Barcelona.
Nonetheless, it looks like Arsenal could consider signing Umtiti from Barcelona if Saliba departs from the Emirates in the summer transfer window. But Arsenal should ideally look to keep hold of Saliba, with the Frenchman arguably having a higher ceiling than White and Gabriel.
