Reported Newcastle United target Samuel Umtiti has agreed a new contract with Barcelona. The Frenchman will remain at the Nou Camp on reduced terms, extending his stay until 2026.
The key for Barcelona was reducing his wages. He either needed to leave the club or accept a new deal on less money.
Barca’s financial situation is perilous, made even more confusing by the £46.7million arrival of Ferran Torres. They initially couldn’t register their latest acquisition, but now they can thanks to Umtiti’s decision.
It’s a decision that benefits Barcelona, but it also helps out Newcastle.
Samuel Umtiti is the kind of signing Newcastle don’t need right now
The Magpies have been tentatively linked with Umtiti. It’s one of those rumours that you don’t really believe.
Most of the talk came from Spain, with Sport suggesting last week that Newcastle could move for Umtiti amid the difficulty in landing Botman.
But there was talk in England too. The Sun claimed late last year that the France international was a £17million target for PIF, while the Daily Mail reported that Barca had offered the 28-year-old to Newcastle.
However, it now looks like Umtiti is staying in Spain. And that’s good news for Newcastle, as he’s not the kind of player we need right now.
Yes, he is a centre-back, and we do desperately need a centre-back. But we need someone reliable, and Umtiti has been anything but since he swapped Lyon for Barcelona in 2016.
He’s had plenty of injury bother, while his huge £220,000-a-week wages could have made him a bit of a mercenary for Newcastle.
It was reported by the Athletic recently that Barcelona hoped Newcastle would help out their financial woes by signing some of their players, which is probably why Umtiti has been linked with the Magpies.
But thankfully this mega deal won’t be happening, and Newcastle can focus on realistic signings who can help us get out of relegation danger.
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