Surprise, surprise: the tide has turned in the Catalan press regarding Samuel Umtiti’s future.
The France international was pretty much a Manchester United player according to Sport a week or so ago, with talk of a José Mourinho personal phone call and a €9m/year post tax wage package waiting for him at Old Trafford.
This all stemmed from the fact the 24-year-old has a €60m release clause in his contract, which isn’t exactly an obstacle for the Red Devils, but despite the many iterations the Frenchman was happy in Barcelona, there was a worry he could leave to get himself a healthier bank account.
Well, lo and behold, both Mundo Deportivo and Sport are now in tune, claiming the next month will be very important.
Starting with the latter of the two, Sport claim that Umtiti’s reaction following Barcelona’s second goal against Roma (grabbing the club’s badge on his shirt) was a good sign, and has given the club renewed hope he wants to stay.
As things stand, the centre-back isn’t taking part in renewal negotiations, delegating that to his entourage, who are proving ‘hard’ to deal with.
All Umtiti wants is to feel valued at Barcelona, like a first-team player should, and he feels his current deal doesn’t reflect that.
This is where Manchester United come in, with their previously reported offer, ready to make him a well paid, valued member of their team, but the France international is also aware he won’t find the same footballing project at Old Trafford than the one he currently has at the Nou Camp.
That’s why he has a lot of ‘reservations’ about a move to José Mourinho’s side, a club that, currently, isn’t fighting for every trophy (second in the league 16 points off top, out of the Carling Cup and the Champions League).
Barcelona, down their end, are ready to show Umtiti that he’s the future of their centre-back pairing by holding back on signing star defenders, at least for the next year while Gerard Piqué is still the player he is.
While Sport give their readers hope, Mundo Deportivo go a step further by claiming the young defender will renew with the La Liga giants, and they have the numbers.
The reporter, Cristina Cubero, claims Umtiti’s new deal will see his release clause doubled to €120m, and will receive increased bonuses for every title won, as well as rewards for individual goals.
However, talks will take some time, but that appears to be what Barcelona are prepared to offer, and there’s a confidence an agreement will be found.
Don’t be too shocked, Manchester United fans.
