Samuel Umtiti: Barcelona to offload Frenchman to Arsenal on loan this summer
- Samuel Umtiti could join Arsenal on loan this summer
- The Gunners will have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of his loan move
- Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested in signing the Barcelona defender to improve their backline
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Barcelona have reportedly concluded plans to send centre-back Samuel Umtiti to Arsenal on a season-long loan deal this summer.
The 26-year-old World Cup-winning defender has played less than 20 games across all competitions so far this campaign.
Meanwhile, reports claim the Frenchman is not part of Quique Setien's plans for the 2020-21 season.
According to SunSport, the Premier League club will have a chance to make his deal permanent at the end of his temporary stay at Emirates Stadium.
Umtiti joined the Catalans in 2016 from Olympique Lyon in a deal valued around €25 million and has gone ahead to win two La Liga titles and a few other silverware at the Spanish club.
However, his reign so far at Camp Nou has been heavily plagued with a series of injuries having only made 77 La Liga appearances.
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The Sun reveals Gerard Pique has featured for Barca 124 league times in the same period as the Frenchman. Setien is said to prefer Clement Lenglet over the 26-year-old
Barcelona are looking to bring in a new defender this summer as a replacement for Pique who is aging.
The Gunners have been watching the Frenchman for some time now and will have the opportunity to sign him in the coming weeks.
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Apart from Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the defender.
Umtiti is just one of nine players Barcelona are hoping to get rid of over the next few months as they look to reinforce the squad with new signings - including Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
Legit.ng earlier reported that Lautaro Martinez is on the verge of joining Spanish giants Barcelona as reports have it that the La Liga outfit have finally sealed an agreement with Inter Milan for the Argentine striker worth €70million.
Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting that the deal will also see Junior Firpo leave the Catalan club and pitch tents with the Serie A side.
Barça are currently locked in a battle for the La Liga title and do not wish to take on additional distractions.
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