Transfers: Barcelona defender looking for a loan exit despite signing a renewal

Days after signing a new three-year contract, defender Samuel Umtiti is reportedly keen on a short-term loan switch in order to get more playing minutes under his belt, reports French media outlet RMC, via SPORT.

According to the aforementioned report, the French centre-back is waiting to receive a decent deal, something that hasn’t come his way so far. While there have been several approaches, none of the teams have proposed any kind of concrete offer.

Umtiti’s intention is to go out on loan in order to prove Xavi that he is still a top-notch candidate. His priority, however, remains either the English Premier League, La Liga, or Italian Serie A.

In recent times, Ligue 1 side AS Monaco did enquire about his availability but the World Cup winner does not want to return to France.

As for Barca, they too are waiting for offers, but their frame of mind covers two different prospects. One, the player will get much-needed minutes elsewhere as his place has already been acquired by Ronald Araujo.

Two, a loan departure would further lower Barca’s wage bill, which would give them the room to go for Alvaro Morata in the same window.

Umtiti has not only lost his place in Barca’s first team but also the bench. Gerard Pique and Ronald Araujo remain Xavi’s preferred centre-back pair, followed by Eric Garcia and Clement Lenglet in the pecking order.

One team that has been doing rounds is Newcastle United. Even before Umtiti put pen to a new contract, the Magpies were reportedly keen on acquiring the 28-year-old defender.

Although a new contract looks like a block, Eddie Howe’s team can still make an offer given Barca’s intention of offering Umtiti a new deal was only to register Ferran Torres.

The question, however, remains whether the defender would want to be a part of Newcastle’s project given they are battling relegation this season.