Barcelona and Serie A giants Fiorentina are reportedly discussing a summer move for out-of-favour French defender Samuel Umtiti.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Samuel Umtiti is the subject of interest from Fiorentina over a possible loan move in the summer transfer window. Butwhile the Serie A giants and Barcelona are in talks over the Frenchman, his wages could pose a problem for La Viola as they cannot afford the out-of-favour defender’s €4 million-a-year salary.
Samuel Umtiti has endured a dramatic fall from grace in the last few years, as he has gone from being a mainstay at the back for Barcelona to a peripheral figure irrespective of the manager at the helm at Camp Nou. The 28-year-old has suffered from fitness issues and poor form and is now at the bottom of the pecking order for centre-backs at FC Barcelona.
The French international, who won the FIFA World Cup just four years ago, endured his worst season thus far for Barcelona, managing just one appearance. And even though Barcelona handed Umtiti a new contract with significantly reduced wages earlier this year, his time at Camp Nou is over. His next destination could be Serie A, with Fiorentina interested in securing his services.
The interest from Fiorentina stems from the rising uncertainties surrounding the future of Nikola Milenkovic. The Serbian defender will likely end his stint with La Viola in the summer transfer window, with Inter Milan his next destination after the Serie A giants reached an agreement with him over a five-year deal.
Milenkovic’s departure will leave a gaping hole in the defensive unit at Fiorentina, prompting them to seek a solution by signing Umtiti from Barcelona. And according to SPORT, La Viola and Barcelona are discussing a possible loan deal for the out-of-favour French defender, who is ready to end his frustrating stint with the Blaugrana.
But while the Serie A giants are keen on signing the 28-year-old, his fitness record compels them to reconsider a loan move. At the same time, Umtiti’s €4 million-a-year wages are beyond Fiorentina’s means, and they can only offer him half of that salary.
The hold-up in talks due to the two issues could clear the path for Lyon to launch the offensive to sign Umtiti. Les Gones might even be ready to permanently re-sign the out-of-favour French defender, unlike Fiorentina, who will only secure his services in a loan deal.