Barcelona part ways with veteran central defender after 7 years
Barcelona and Samuel Umtiti have mutually agreed to terminate the defender's contract, marking the end of their seven-year association. Umtiti joined Barcelona in 2016 and quickly established himself as a key figure in the team's defense alongside Gerard Pique. During his time at the club, Umtiti showcased his skills on the global stage by winning the FIFA World Cup with the French national team in 2018.
Throughout his Barcelona career, Umtiti contributed significantly to the team's success, lifting a total of eight trophies in just 133 appearances. These achievements include two La Ligas and three Copa del Rey titles. However, his promising trajectory was derailed by a severe knee injury towards the end of 2018, which resulted in prolonged struggles and ultimately hindered his return to the Barcelona starting lineup.
Last season, Umtiti was loaned out to Lecce, where he demonstrated his ability to perform at a high level. As a result, it is expected that he will make a return to his former club, Olympique Lyon, this summer. Lyon was the club that initially sold Umtiti to Barcelona for €25 million, marking the beginning of his Catalan adventure.
According to reports from MD, Barcelona still owed Umtiti €20 million over the remaining three years of his contract. The club had extended his deal until 2026 to alleviate the financial burden by spreading out the payments. Additionally, Umtiti had accepted a 10% reduction in his wages. The specific details of the financial settlement between Umtiti and Barcelona remain undisclosed, as both parties decided to bring their relationship to an end. Considering that it was the final day of the financial year for Barcelona, it is likely that they aimed to include Umtiti's departure in this year's budget, as they are already expected to face challenges in complying with the salary limits for the upcoming season.
The departure of Umtiti marks a significant development for both the player and Barcelona. While Umtiti's injury struggles have hindered his progression at the club, his time at Barcelona will be remembered for his contributions to the team's triumphs. Meanwhile, Barcelona continues to navigate financial constraints and the need to reshape their squad as they move forward.
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