Manchester United have opened talks with Barcelona to discuss a potential deal for Samuel Umtiti, according to media reports.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have been frustrated in the search for a new central defender with Leicester City holding out for £90 million for Harry Maguire. United had also been in the race for Matthijs de Ligt but the Ajax defender is now on the verge of joining Juventus.
According to Mundo Deportivo, United have now turned to Umtiti as an alternative and have held initial discussions with Barcelona. The report claims that Barcelona are still waiting on a final decision from De Ligt having refused to increase their contract offer, and if the 19-year-old decides to complete a move to Camp Nou, Umtiti could be available.
Barca, meanwhile, have also made their own enquiry to United over the availability of Victor Lindelof. Both clubs have told each other that they are not willing to negotiate but that stance could change if the interest persists.
Umtiti has vowed to remain at Barcelona this summer but Mundo Deportivo report that some members of Barca’s hierarchy would be open to selling the France international because of the knee problems he suffered last season. Umtiti joined Barcelona from Lyon for £24.6m in July 2016.
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