After spending a few seasons in Italian football, defender Samuel Umtiti is returning to his club, Barcelona. The Spanish team doesn’t wish to continue with the defender and plans to negotiate his transfer with another team in this transfer window.
Aware that he can take advantage of his current situation, Umtiti has been monitoring the market for a new club. Currently, the Frenchman is being pursued by two European football giants, and his new team could be determined in the coming weeks.
According to information released by journalist Matteo Moretto, Samuel Umtiti is being sought after by two major European teams. The clubs in question are Lyon and Besiktas, who are in a competition for the French player.
Lyon is currently leading the race to sign the player. Being a club from his homeland and participating in a continental competition, the French team is at the forefront of the race, albeit with a narrow margin over the Turks.
Umtiti had a good spell at Lecce in Italy, and the club is also monitoring the player’s situation. Knowing that they don’t have sufficient financial power to compete with their rivals, the club believes they can convince the player to join permanently in their colors.
Umtiti in Barcelona
Umtiti joined Barcelona in 2016. In the first two seasons, he was an absolute starter for the team, playing over 40 matches per year, until he began facing injuries and gradually lost his place over time. Following three seasons, he didn’t even complete 20 matches played in each of them and continued to struggle with physical problems.
In the 2021/22 season, Umtiti only played one game for Barcelona. The lack of playing time led the club to reduce his salary and decide to loan him to Lecce in the current season, where the player claims to have regained his happiness.
