According to Sport, Arsenal are set to face competition in pursuit of Samuel Umtiti. Inter Milan have reportedly shown interest in the Barcelona defender and a potential trade could be on the table. The Italian giants are joined by Manchester United in the race to sign Umtiti, who is valued around €30 million.
Samuel Umtiti: A tactical fit for Mikel Arteta?
Arsenal have lacked the quality in the defensive department over the past couple of years. The struggle from players like David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis means they are in desperate need of new faces, which can rejuvenate the backline. Umtiti, in that regard, could be an ideal solution.
What makes the Frenchman such an appealing target for Mikel Arteta is his ball-playing qualities. With Arsenal often lacking the technical aspect of the game from their defenders, Umtiti’s sublime range of passing, combined with his positional sense should enhance the quality of the backline.
Moreover, the Barcelona defender is blessed with the physical attributes that should tune in well with the style of play Premier League offers. The potential combination between Umtiti and someone like Luiz, for example, should add a new dimension to the Arsenal backline.
Therefore, Umtiti is undoubtedly a tactical fit for Arteta. Not only is he compatible with Arsenal’s style of play, but he can also add experience and winning mentality into the team.
Could injuries be a worry?
Injuries haven’t been kind to Umtiti during his spell at Barcelona so far. The centre-back has spent numerous periods on the sidelines, especially due to the recurring knee problem. As a result, his overall gametime has been drastically minimised, and he has lost his place in the starting lineup to his compatriot Clement Lenglet.
That being said, Umtiti seems to have finally recovered from his injury woes. He was available for the majority of the campaign and could have even featured had it not been for the Coronavirus.
Arsenal are set to face competition in pursuit of Samuel Umtiti: Should they make a move?
As mentioned earlier, Umtiti is equipped with a specific set of qualities that could help him enhance the Arsenal backline. His experience could also benefit the Gunners, especially in terms of providing leadership to the table. Meanwhile, the defender also seems to have recovered from his injury woes.
But more importantly, Umtiti’s reported valuation of just €30 million is relatively reasonable for a player of his calibre. It could bode well especially for Arsenal, who are likely to face the brunt of the economic devastation inflicted by Coronavirus. Hence, Arteta should undoubtedly make a move for this talented Frenchman as he looks to bolster his defensive options next season.
