In a recent report, Sport mentioned that Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti is on the radar of Fiorentina this summer. It has been mentioned that Barca are in talks with the Italian outfit over a move for the French defender during this summer transfer window.
Umtiti’s Growing Frustrations In Spain Last Season
Umtiti had a frustrating campaign at the Nou Camp in the previous campaign as he struggled to make an impact under the stewardship of Xavi. The former Olympique Lyonnais talent played in just one match for the Catalan giants last season and was guilty of missing a lot of games due to multiple injuries.
The Frenchman is currently surplus to requirements at Barcelona, so it makes for both the player and the Catalan club to part ways with each other in this off-season.
Should Barcelona Head Coach Xavi Cut Umtiti Loose This Summer?
Umtiti can get stuck in with some crunching tackles to make life difficult for the opposition attackers. He usually puts his foot through the ball when required and knows how to play his way out from the back. The 31-time France international can even make a few important blocks inside his penalty area.
However, frequent injuries have disrupted his progress at the Nou Camp. Plus, Umtiti has struggled to impress with the limited playing minutes he has received over the past couple of seasons. He has fallen behind the likes of Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and Oscar Mingueza in Xavi‘s pecking order.
At 28, Umtiti needs a change of scenery if he intends to make the most out of the remainder of his playing career. Thus, Xavi should think about cutting his loose for a fair fee this summer as he is clearly not reliable enough to succeed at the Catalan club.
His current contract with Barcelona is set to run out in the summer of 2026. Still, Xavi would be wise to ship him out of Catalonia and use the money generated from his potential sale to strengthen his squad for the new La Liga campaign.
