Date: 18th May 2022 at 8:00pm
Written by:

Arsenal are to be offered the chance to sign Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona this summer, according to reports…

THE LOWDOWN: SET TO LEAVE

The 28-year-old is set to leave Camp Nou at the end of the campaign as Xavi looks to relaunch his defence ahead of a potential La Liga title challenge.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are looking for a central defender to beef up their squad ahead of a return to Europe next term.

The Frenchman joined Barcelona from Lyon ahead of the 2016/17 season and made 25 league appearances in each of his first two campaigns (via WhoScored), but that dropped to 14 in 2018/19 and 13 in both of the subsequent two seasons. This year, he has featured just once in La Liga.

succession of injuries, including a series of knee problems, has played a significant part in his limited involvement.

THE LATEST: DEAL ON THE TABLE

According to the Daily Star, a deal for Umtiti is on the table for Mikel Arteta this summer with Barcelona keen to offload the Frenchman.

In January, Arsenal were linked with a move for Umtiti but a transfer collapsed due to him incurring a broken toe.

Umtiti’s arrival could almost certainly spell the end of William Saliba’s Arsenal career.

THE VERDICT: KEEP SALIBA INSTEAD

Umtiti boasts a pretty enviable CV. He has won 10 major trophies at senior level, most notably the 2018 World Cup and two La Liga titles.

On an individual level, he was featured in the FIFPro World XI second team in 2018, which indicates that he was deemed one of the four best centre-backs on the planet that year. Former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi has also spoken highly of him off the pitch, describing him an ‘excellent person’.

However, it’s simply too big a risk for the Gunners to rely on him for next season.

Considering the incredible potential, the recent performances at a top-flight level of their young star in Saliba, and the nature of the progressive squad Arteta is trying to build at the Emirates, he should place his trust in the 21-year-old instead of the injury-prone and unreliable Barcelona star.

AND in other news, “Full agreement” – Journalist claims Arsenal close to wonderkid signing, a future star – opinion…

 

Comments are closed.