French defender set for Barcelona move
Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti is set for a move to La Liga champions Barcelona, according to French paper L’Equipe.
The two clubs have been negotiating for three weeks to finalise an agreement for the 22-year-old centre-back and Barcelona have finally met Lyon’s demands, with a fee of around €30million (including bonuses) mooted.
Lyon are expected to announce the deal on Thursday night, having already signed Marseille defender Nicolas Nkoulou on a free transfer as Umtiti’s replacement at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais next season.
Barcelona are now expected to offer a five-year contract to Umtiti, who is currently on international duty with France at Euro 2016 and is expected to earn his first cap for Les Bleus when they face Iceland in their quarter-final on Sunday night.
The defender was only selected by Didier Deschamps in his squad after an injury to Barcelona’s Jeremy Mathieu and has now earned his chance with Adil Rami’s suspension after the Sevilla defender’s accumulation of yellow cards so far.
Umtiti was one of Lyon’s standout performers last season, proving to be a solid rock in the heart of defence, making 34 appearances in Ligue 1 as the Rhone side eventually finished second behind runaway champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The centre-back’s task, once he completes his move, will be to challenge Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano for a place in Barca’s backline, although he will be expected to be given a chance in Copa del Rey and Champions League games for Luis Enrique’s side.