---
title: "Umtiti addresses Arsenal rumours – why the Gunners were right not to make their move"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2019/09/09/umtiti-addresses-arsenal-rumours-why-the-gunners-were-right-not-to-make-their-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Articles"
published: "2019-09-09T20:00:02Z"
modified: "2019-09-09T20:00:02Z"
---

# Umtiti addresses Arsenal rumours – why the Gunners were right not to make their move

Arsenal successfully signed two centre-backs this summer in William Saliba and David Luiz.

Highly-rated youngster Saliba joined in a deal worth £27 million before being loaned back to Saint Etienne, while Luiz joined on deadline day from Chelsea for a fee in the region of £8 million.

The Gunners were linked with numerous defenders over the summer, including Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti.

![David Ramos/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1166100240-1.jpg)

The Frenchman was also tipped to move to Paris Saint-Germain, however, moves to England or France never materialised and the player remained at the Nou Camp.

The World Cup winner has now addressed the summer rumours regarding a move to the Emirates. Talking to [Canal Football Club, cited by the Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1175556/Barcelona-star-Samuel-Umtiti-Arsenal-transfer-news), Umtiti revealed he never came close to joining the Gunners and was confused as to how the rumours started.

> Honestly, I don’t know where this rumour with Arsenal came from.

> Overnight, I received messages from my friends ‘ah, so you are joining Arsenal?’ I’m not, I’m sorry but I’m staying at Barcelona.

> Contacts with Arsenal? To be honest, I don’t know if they had conversations with my agent, I just told him that I didn’t care what was happening this summer and that it wasn’t even necessary to talk to me about it.

* * *

### Read Arsenal verdict

We think it was right that the Gunners didn’t follow up their apparent interest in the 25-year-old. He’s been out injured for a long period of time, so a big-money move would have been a risky piece of business.

Umtiti hasn’t exactly shone when fully fit at Barcelona either. He’s now struggling to earn a starting spot under Ernesto Valverde this season, who is currently opting for Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique at the heart of the defence.

![David Ramos/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1145501393.jpg)

Unai Emery will more than likely be keen on bolstering his defensive options further in January, with RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano another name linked with a move to the Emirates.

Gunners fans will be hoping that they can get a deal over the line for the 20-year-old Frenchman, who is arguably a better defender than Umtiti, however, the youngster won’t come cheap.