According to a report by Sport, Olympique Lyonnais are interested to sign the FC Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti this summer. The Frenchman’s former club wants to sign him on a loan deal with splitting half of his wage with Barcelona. However, the Catalans have not said any word in this matter, but a loan deal won’t impress them as they want to get rid of Umtiti permanently.
Umtiti started his football career in the youth ranks of Olympique Lyonnais and appeared 170 times for the French side. Following his immense talent at the backline, Barcelona paid 25 million to sign Umtiti in 2016. The Frenchman enjoyed a good debut season at Camp Nou as he appeared 43 times in the 2016/17 season. And till now Umtiti has appeared 132 times for Barcelona in his five-year stay.
Following his form in the first two seasons at Barcelona Umtiti was called by the France national team for the 2018 world cup. Umtiti was paired with Raphael Varane at the backline and the duo gave an impressive performance with France lifting the world cup. As Umtiti returned from his world cup campaign he signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2023 and picked up a huge salary figure.
But for the last three seasons, Umtiti has only appeared 49 times for Barcelona because of his constant knee problem. Following his injured life and high wage bill Barcelona are desperate to offload Umtiti this summer. But his high wage has been the main problem because no club is able to afford that in this pandemic situation. However, his former club Lyon are interested to sign back Umtiti on a loan deal, while splitting his wage 50% with Barcelona.
Lyon offered to sign Samuel Umtiti on a loan deal
Olympique Lyonnais have shown their interest to sign their former player Samuel Umtiti this summer. The club feels that they could bring the Frenchman back to his pre-2018 form next season. But Lyon are in no position to afford his transfer fee and wage because of their poor financial condition due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following which the Ligue 1 side have offered to sign the centre-back on loan this summer. While they have also included a clause of dividing Umtiti’s enormous wage with Barcelona. Lyon have described a 50% split of the Frenchman’s wage.
But as per reports, Barcelona may not be considering the offer from Lyon as they want to get rid of Umtiti permanently. As La Liga have put on a salary cap on the Catalans and the club needs to strictly follow that order. Following which they want to get rid of Umtiti’s enormous wage permanently this summer. So, let’s wait and see what Barcelona decides about Umtiti’s future and which club will sign him this summer.
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