Man United and Arsenal offered Umtiti as Barcelona eye summer transfer
Gossip & Rumours
By
Mirror
| Mar 17, 2020
Manchester United and Arsenal are considering a swoop for Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti as the Spanish club look to offload the Frenchman.
Umtiti signed from Lyon in 2015 but has struggled to truly establish himself at the Nou Camp.
Injuries have played there part and it was his lack of fitness last summer that hampered his hopes of as move away.
This year though it looks as if he will seal his Barcelona exit with United a likely destination, reports Sport.
Arsenal are aware of their need to add in defence as Mikel Arteta prepares for his first summer in charge.
William Saliba will arrive at the end of the season and is highly rated but the Spaniard may still feel he needs another player to go alongside him.
The Red Devils meanwhile are looking for a left-sided centre-half and despite Quique Setien's fondness for the player he would be prepared to sanction his departure.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still has several areas of his squad that need improving if he wants to make United title contenders.
One of those areas is the defence with Kalidou Kouliably from Napoli also touted as a possible in.
Umtiti would be a cheaper alternative and is readily available with Barcelona ready to cash in to raise funds of their own, and with Umtiti having largely played second fiddle to Clement Lenglet this season.
"We know we lack one, two or three players to be considered a title contender, as well as some experience," said the Norwegian recently.
United have struggled to get their recruitment right since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement with a lack of their transfer strategy lacking continuity.
Solskjaer has come in and made it clear he wants to add young homegrown players, although he is prepared to make exceptions.
Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka ans Dan James were his first three signings but since then he has seen Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo arrive.
Both January imports have impressed thus far with United still targeting a place in next season's Champions League.
The lure of European football will platy a huge role in their summer activity with top players wanting to play in the elite competitions.