Pushed towards the exit at Barça, Samuel Umtiti is still present in Catalonia. The Culés are betting on one last strategy to try to get him to leave.
A dream of Gone. A few weeks ago, Jean-Michel Aulas made quite a secret. The OL boss admitted that the Rhone leaders were discussing with Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso so that they would come home since they will be at the end of their contract this summer. This would be an opportunity to reform the famous “Lyonnais gang” to which Samuel Umtiti belonged. Like his two friends, the defender is also followed by the residents of Groupama Stadium. Already last summer, his name was linked to the Olympians who were looking for a central defender to compensate for Marcelo’s sidelining.
But in the end, Lyon preferred to bet on the experienced Jérôme Boateng. Despite this, the Rhodaniens have not forgotten the former player of the house. An element that is going through difficult times. Since his return from the 2018 Cup, Big Sam has accumulated physical glitches, especially in his knee. Holder, he tumbled in the hierarchy of the centrals, he who no longer enters the plans of Xavi and Barça. Currently in rehabilitation, since he was operated on after suffering a fracture of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot on January 18, he knows that his case worries the Blaugrana leaders.
Barça counts on OL
The latter had also anticipated since they had him sign a contract extension until 2026 at the beginning of January. A real surprise. But Barça had a very specific plan in mind since the player’s salary had been reduced and he now has a release clause which allows him to leave for zero euros. A real gift from the Culés to clubs interested and not afraid of the idea of reviving the defender. A way also to remember and show that they absolutely want to separate from the French. This Monday, Sport also reveals Barça’s ultimate strategy to make him leave this summer.
Thus, the Catalan daily reveals that the club will do everything to place him in Lyon. The Culés are counting on his love for OL and on the interest of Les Gones to convince the 2018 champions to finally agree to pack up. Behind the scenes, the Blaugrana leaders are therefore pushing for him to sign in Lyon, “the most likely destination” according to them. Sport speaks of a very advantageous operation for the inhabitants of Rhone, in particular at the salary level. It therefore remains to know the position of Big Sam and OL, who, it should be remembered, wish to associate Issa Diop with Castello Lukeba this summer. It is therefore difficult to imagine a return of Umtiti, unless Barca manage to convince all parties that this idea is the best. To be continued…
