Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti is all set to join Italian club, Lecce, on loan for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have agreed on a loan deal with Italian club Lecce for Samuel Umtiti, but they will pay his wages this season. However, the Catalan club will receive some performance-related bonuses.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner had fallen down the pecking order at the Catalan club, and he needed to leave in order to play regular first-team football. A move to the Italian club will allow Umtiti to regain his match fitness and form with regular game time.
Umtiti has been on the list of expendables for a while now, and Barcelona will be delighted to offload the unwanted ace this summer. Umtiti was left out of the club’s pre-season tour earlier this summer, and it was evident that there was no way back for the defender at Camp Nou.
Barcelona will probably focus their attention on Martin Braithwaite now. The Danish international is also unwanted at the Catalan club, but Barcelona are finding it difficult to get rid of him.
Samuel Umtiti deal, done and sealed. French centre back leaves Barcelona and joins Serie A side Lecce on loan until June 2023. ?? @SkySport #FCB
Umtiti will fly to Italy this week to undergo medical tests. pic.twitter.com/Ku3GM2Ip87
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2022
Umtiti was regarded as a top-class defender prior to his injury problems, and it remains to be seen whether the Frenchman can return to those levels again. The slower pace of the Serie A compared to that of Spanish football should help the Barcelona defender in that regard.
Furthermore, the pressure to perform will not be as high as it would have been at a club like Barcelona, and Umtiti will be able to regain his confidence gradually at Lecce. Meanwhile, the Italian outfit will be hoping to benefit from his winning experience and quality for the remainder of the season.
Umtiti has a contract with Barcelona until June 2023, and Lecce might be able to sign him permanently on a free transfer if he manages to impress this season. As for the player, he will be hoping to secure another big move in the future, and he will use this move as an opportunity to showcase his quality and potential once again.
Romano adds that the player is set to fly to Italy next week and complete the formalities regarding his transfer. So Umtiti is set to end his nightmare at Barcelona with a move to Lecce, even if temporarily so.
