Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti, according to Star Sport, and the Frenchman could improve Mikel Arteta’s defensive options.
The Spanish manager is expected to target a centre-back this summer as he looks to bolster Arsenal’s defensive options, with a number of defenders having been linked with the club in recent weeks.
Now Star Sport claim that France international Umtiti could join the Gunners after being offered to both Arsenal and Manchester United by Barcelona, who are seeking to raise funds this summer.
The 26-year old has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp, and having been Unai Emery’s top target last summer, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Arteta could turn to the former Lyon man.
Arsenal could be set to have plenty of centre-back options are their disposal next season, with David Luiz, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers, Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi currently at the club.
William Saliba will link up with the Gunners once his loan deal with Saint-Etienne expires, while loan star Pablo Mari could also join the club on a permanent basis.
Sokratis has already teased a potential exit at the end of the season, while Mustafi’s future could be thrown into question following aforementioned defensive transfer rumours. With David Luiz also now 33, the club could do with an overhaul of their centre-back options, and Umtiti could be a considerable purchase to begin that process.
Having only started nine times in La Liga for Barcelona this season, it is difficult to statistically compare Umtiti to Arsenal’s centre-back options, but the Frenchman has managed a better average interceptions ration, managing 1.9 per game compared to Arsenal’s highest, Mustafi, who averages 1.6.
Umtiti has the prestige of an elite player, having played over 100 times for the Catalan giants, and on ability alone he could prove to be an exciting signing for Arsenal. However, Barcelona’s transfer fee demands will ultimately dictate whether the Frenchman is worth pursuing or not.
