Newcastle United are planning a bid for Barcelona defender and World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti, according to The Sun.
The 28-year-old centre back remains out of favour at the La Liga giants despite Xavi taking over from Ronald Koeman.
The Frenchman’s fortunes haven’t changed, and he has made just one appearance all season for the Catalan club.
With Barcelona eager to raise funds to overhaul their squad, The Sun report that the Europa League side are ‘desperate to offload’ the former Lyon man’s £220,000 per week wages off their books.
And inevitably following Newcastle’s Saudi-backed consortium takeover, the Toon Army have been linked with a move for Umtiti in the January transfer window.
Newcastle are reportedly planning a bid of £17 million bid for Umtiti.
Should Newcastle United pursue Samuel Umtiti?
There is no denying that Newcastle have the wealth to attract Umtiti to Tyneside, but it would be a risk if we signed him on a permanent long-term deal on big wages in January.
The Frenchman would likely want a relegation release clause inserted in his contract.
It would mean he could leave in the summer, instead of potentially plying his trade in the Championship.
Having no experience of playing in the Premier League means signing Umtiti would be a gamble and with just one appearance to his name so far this season, the left-footed centre back is severely lacking match fitness.
A six-month loan with a view to a permanent deal if Umtiti stays fit and proves the difference in staying up could be an option, but it’s likely Barcelona will want his hefty wages paid in full.
Any move for Umtiti would likely see him become Newcastle’s highest earner by some distance.
Since signing for Barcelona in 2016, Umtiti has been plagued with injures which has seen his time at the Nou Camp fizzle out.
In his time at Barcelona, Umtiti has missed 83 games due to several injuries.
We do not doubt the quality of Umtiti, who impressed former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, now at Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi told the January 2018 edition of World Soccer: “[Umtiti] trains in the same way he plays.
“He doesn’t leave anything in reserve; he’s an excellent person away from the pitch as well.
“Seeing how he trains, I’m not surprised at what he does in matches, I see all his qualities.”
The problem with Umtiti is that he has often been out injured, and we think that he will be a risk for Newcastle.
If Eddie Howe was looking to sign an out-of-favour international defender with Champions League experience, he should probably look closer to home at someone like Phil Jones, who knows the Premier League inside out.
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