In a recent report, Sport mentioned that Barcelona could terminate Samuel Umtiti’s contract after the player refused to take a pay-cut despite the club’s recent financial struggles. It has been revealed that the Catalans are hoping to reduce their wage bill by offloading the French defender.
Umtiti’s Career At the Nou Camp Has Come To A Halt This Season
Umtiti is yet to make a first-team appearance for Barca this season as he has always found himself on their substitutes’ bench. The 28-year-old has made a total of 132 appearances for the Catalan giants so far, scoring two goals and grabbing one assist across various competitions.
Frequent injuries have disrupted Umtiti’s progress at the Nou Camp in recent seasons. He is currently on high wages, so it is no surprise that Barca are hoping to cut him loose so that they can ease their financial concerns a bit and bring in some new recruits next year.
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Barcelona Could Terminate Umtiti’s Contract: Good Move For Both Parties?
Umtiti has not played competitive football for a long time. Last season, the Frenchman was a solid squad player for the Catalans as he is a good tackler of the ball and can earn possession back for his side. Moreover, Umtiti is not afraid to clear his lines when the opposition are on the offensive.
Currently, the injury-prone defender is clearly surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp. Thus, the Catalan outfit has no reason to try and keep hold of him as he is earning way too much to sit on the bench for them every week. At 28, the 31-time France international is playing at his prime but his recent injury record has been far from convincing.
Barca has every reason to terminate Umtiti’s contract so that they can make enough space in their squad for a suitable replacement who could challenge for a regular starting place in Xavi’s first XI in the coming seasons. The French defensive ace can also benefit from a change of scenery if he intends to get his career back on track. Therefore, Umtiti’s contract termination will be a good move for both the player and the Catalan club in the future.
