Ligue 1 giants Stade Rennais will not pursue a move for Samuel Umtiti, leaving the French defender and Barcelona in limbo over his future.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Samuel Umtiti is no longer a target for Stade Rennais in the ongoing summer transfer window. The Ligue 1 giants are set to end their negotiations with Barcelona and have turned their attention towards signing Morato from Benfica ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Samuel Umtiti has suffered a dramatic fall from grace after initially being a pivotal figure for FC Barcelona. The French international had forged an indomitable central defensive partnership with Gerard Pique in the first couple of years of his stint with Barcelona. But injuries and poor form have hampered his progress considerably, rendering him a pivotal figure at Camp Nou.
Umtiti was an afterthought for both Ronald Koeman and Xavi Hernandez last season, as he made just one appearance in the 2021/22 campaign. With the 28-year-old’s future headed nowhere, he needs to leave Barcelona to become a regular at the club level again. And Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennais seemed to be ready to offer him an escape route out of Barcelona for a long time.
Rennes initiated discussions with Barcelona over a possible summer move for Umtiti at the onset of the summer transfer window. And talks between the Blaugrana and the Ligue 1 club seemed to be progressing well, leaving his parent club delighted at the prospect of offloading him ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Rennes are set to leave negotiations for Samuel Umtiti, as they want to sign Morato from Benfica – been told it’s close. ?? #transfers
Barcelona still pushing to sell Umtiti after Lenglét and Manaj.
Next outgoing: Trincão to Sporting, €10m for 50% – as per @MatteMoretto.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 9, 2022
Reports earlier this week suggested that Umtiti was closing in on joining Rennes, with the first-team squad bereft of numbers in the central defensive unit. Bruno Genesio, the Ligue 1 club’s manager, also confirmed their interest in the Barcelona defender, and all signs pointed to a return to his homeland for the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.
Loic Bade and Warmed Omari are the only recognised centre-backs at Genesio’s disposal, prompting Rennes to delve into the market for at least one central defender. Les Rouge et Noir had identified Umtiti as a solution to their problems, but they have now cooled interest in the Barcelona defender.
According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, Rennes will soon officially end negotiations with Barcelona before turning their attention towards Benfica defender Morato. Umtiti is now in limbo over his next destination, considering he is surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.
Ligue 1 giants Stade Rennais will not pursue a move for Samuel Umtiti, leaving the French defender and Barcelona in limbo over his future.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Samuel Umtiti is no longer a target for Stade Rennais in the ongoing summer transfer window. The Ligue 1 giants are set to end their negotiations with Barcelona and have turned their attention towards signing Morato from Benfica ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Samuel Umtiti has suffered a dramatic fall from grace after initially being a pivotal figure for FC Barcelona. The French international had forged an indomitable central defensive partnership with Gerard Pique in the first couple of years of his stint with Barcelona. But injuries and poor form have hampered his progress considerably, rendering him a pivotal figure at Camp Nou.
Umtiti was an afterthought for both Ronald Koeman and Xavi Hernandez last season, as he made just one appearance in the 2021/22 campaign. With the 28-year-old’s future headed nowhere, he needs to leave Barcelona to become a regular at the club level again. And Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennais seemed to be ready to offer him an escape route out of Barcelona for a long time.
Rennes initiated discussions with Barcelona over a possible summer move for Umtiti at the onset of the summer transfer window. And talks between the Blaugrana and the Ligue 1 club seemed to be progressing well, leaving his parent club delighted at the prospect of offloading him ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Rennes are set to leave negotiations for Samuel Umtiti, as they want to sign Morato from Benfica – been told it’s close. ?? #transfers
Barcelona still pushing to sell Umtiti after Lenglét and Manaj.
Next outgoing: Trincão to Sporting, €10m for 50% – as per @MatteMoretto.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 9, 2022
Reports earlier this week suggested that Umtiti was closing in on joining Rennes, with the first-team squad bereft of numbers in the central defensive unit. Bruno Genesio, the Ligue 1 club’s manager, also confirmed their interest in the Barcelona defender, and all signs pointed to a return to his homeland for the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.
Loic Bade and Warmed Omari are the only recognised centre-backs at Genesio’s disposal, prompting Rennes to delve into the market for at least one central defender. Les Rouge et Noir had identified Umtiti as a solution to their problems, but they have now cooled interest in the Barcelona defender.
According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, Rennes will soon officially end negotiations with Barcelona before turning their attention towards Benfica defender Morato. Umtiti is now in limbo over his next destination, considering he is surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.