Report: Barcelona will look offload World Cup-winning defender in January

According to a report from SPORT, Barcelona is looking to part ways with Samuel Umtiti in the coming January transfer window. The Frenchman does not feature in Ronald Koeman’s plans and looks set to depart.

Since he arrived at Barcelona in 2016, the French centre-back has had a spell of highs and lows. He was a crucial part of the Barcelona defence in his first two seasons at the club, replacing Javier Mascherano in the heart of the defence.

His impressive performances earned him a pivotal spot in the French national team that went on to win the World Cup in 2018. However, that was the final peak in his career.

After neglecting his knee injury for a long time and playing through it, the player’s fitness levels dropped. The continuously relapsing setback did not permit him to play or train.

Over the past two seasons, his involvement in the side gradually reduced and zeroed down. This season too, Umtiti is yet to see minutes of action while all the other centre-backs have at least featured once.

Barcelona tried to offload the Frenchman in the summer transfer window this year. Some clubs in Ligue 1 were said to be interested in his signing. The player was asked to choose among the options on the table, as his sale was seen as one that could not just generate revenue but also reduce the heavy wage bill.

However, a last-minute meeting between the player and Joan Laporta convinced the president that the centre-back had overcome his injuries and was ready to play a crucial part.

Yet, the same story followed, and Umtiti was declared injured without even playing a minute. This time, the intent to sell him seems real.