Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti on Saturday said he fully expects to be at Barcelona next season and signing a new deal to remain at Spanish LaLiga and Champions League.
The centre-back signed for Barcelona for a fee of €25million in 2016. He made his first appearance for Catalan club in the second leg of Supercopa de Espana in August.
Umtiti wants the new deal at Camp Nou. He is threatening to leave the Catalan club if he doesn’t get the contracts he demands, but the former Lyon star wishes to stay next season. Barcelona on the other hand, they want the deal done before the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The 24-year-old’s current deal expires in 2021 and he has been strongly linked to Manchester United. The Red Devils continues to hope for Umtiti’s arrival this summer. After a first inconclusive approach during the last summer transfer window, United return to the charge to afford the centre-back and would be willing to meet his £52million buy-out clause and pay him £175,000-a-week.
United manager Jose Mourinho is looking for great centre-back this summer and eyeing Barcelona’s Umtiti. But Umtiti has hinted that he wants to stay at Camp Nou and that he is not even considering a departure.
“There is nothing new. I look at my phone, but nothing has advaced. It won’t annoy me if it’s not sorted before the World Cup because negotiations have already been going on for several months.” Umtiti said reporters.
“For my part, I want to renew. It’s important to resolve this issue before the World Cup although if this is not possible, it would not bother me. From my point of view, it will be done. At the moment, there is no more news or further developments.” Umtiti added.
Meanwhile, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are interested in signing Umtiti before 2018/19 season, according to report. But the Citizens quit chasing him at the end of 2017/18 season.
Umtiti has developed into an integral player alongside team-mate Gerard Pique at the back, who claimed the LaLiga title and also another title Copa del Rey this season. He has scored one goal and seven assists in all competitions for Barcelona this season.
