Samuel Umtiti will be moving on a season-long loan to Serie A team Lecce from Barcelona, with no option to purchase.
Only earlier this year did the World Cup winner sign a new extension with Barca, albeit at a lower salary.
He will play for newly promoted Lecce in Italy during the 2022–23 season as they attempt to maintain their top-tier standing.
Umtiti moved to Barcelona from Lyon in 2016 and has since made 133 appearances for the club in all competitions, taking home two league championships and three Copa del Reys.
The center back hasn't competed for his nation since 2019, although he was an integral part of the France team that won the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
He becomes the newest player Barca has sold as they try to reorganize their team after a busy transfer window, despite their well-known financial struggles.
Franck Kessie, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Neto, Oscar Mingueza, Riqui Puig, Luuk de Jong, Adama Traore, and so far, Dani Alves are the only ones who have left.
In addition to Martin Braithwaite, Barca has yet to sign former Sevilla defender Kounde. Kounde's future at Camp Nou may depend on whether Xavi's team can offload forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Memphis Depay before the transfer deadline.
In addition to talks with Southampton and Bournemouth, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, a forgotten midfielder for Arsenal, has also been offered to West Ham.
Newcastle is interested in both Alexander Isak, a striker for Real Sociedad, and defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez of Ajax.
Manchester United is in talks with Everton about a deal to sign James Garner, a midfielder valued at £14 million and made available for transfer by the Old Trafford club. The Toffees are also interested in Blackburn forward Ben Brereton Diaz and are willing to pay £12 million for him.
Samuel Umtiti, a World Cup winner, may have signed a new contract with Barcelona earlier this year, but he will play this season on loan with Lecce.
blogpay
