ARSENAL reportedly face competition from Manchester United in the hunt to nab Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti this summer. The 25-year-old could be on the market at the end of the season with the Spanish side desperate to land Ajax teenager Matthijs De Ligt. This had led to speculation that Umtiti could be available with the […]
ARSENAL reportedly face competition from Manchester United in the hunt to nab Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti this summer.
The 25-year-old could be on the market at the end of the season with the Spanish side desperate to land Ajax teenager Matthijs De Ligt.
This had led to speculation that Umtiti could be available with the Catalan club wanting to sell the French World Cup winner to raise funds for a move to sign the Dutch defender.
A knee injury has restricted the former Lyon star to just 10 games in all competitions this campaign – with compatriot Clement Lenglet now preferred ahead of him.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Red Devils are still interested in Umtiti despite being knocked back in their efforts to sign him last year.
But they claim that United face a battle with the Gunners who are also looking to bolster their leaky defence.
It has been reported that Unai Emery’s men have identified Umtiti as the perfect target and will look to bring him to the Emirates should he be allowed to leave.
Arsenal‘s head of football relations Raul Sanllehi was instrumental in Barca signing the player in 2016 from Lyon for £21.3million.
Umtiti fuelled rumours of a move to Arsenal in January after he was spotted at the Emirates during their 2-0 win against Chelsea.
The North London side are in dire need of new recruits at the back with question marks still remaining over Shkodran Mustafi following his disastrous display against Dubai side Al Nasr yesterday.
While Emery may look to find a replacement for skipper Laurent Koscielny, 33, who will have just one year left to run on his deal at the end of the season.
Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney to provide competition for Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac.
