Green light given, move imminent: Barcelona defender finally set to leave club

With just a week remaining until the transfer market comes to a close, FC Barcelona are actively looking to offload some of the fringe players in the team, as part of their plans to cut down the costs and register Jules Kounde.

Memphis Depay and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have dominated the headlines, with the two attackers being linked with a move to Juventus and Chelsea, respectively.

According to Tuttomercato(h/t Diario SPORT), another player in contention to leave Camp Nou in these final days of the transfer market is Samuel Umtiti.

The Frenchman has been recently linked with a move to Lecce and it appears both the clubs have reached an agreement over a potential loan deal. Barça are expected to assume the majority of the defender’s salary for the remainder of the season.

Umtiti could officiate his move to Lecce tomorrow or Friday morning, provided everything goes according to plan. The exact percentage Lecce will pay, in terms of his salary, remains undisclosed but it will be in relation to the number of minutes he will play.

Umtiti’s potential move to Lecce could put an end to the defender’s six-year spell at Camp Nou, during which the player had appeared in 133 competitive matches for the club.

The Frenchman has struggled immensely in recent years due to his poor health record, but he will be hoping to make an impression at Lecce.

The Italian outfit are looking to survive the rigours of the top-flight after once again making their way up to Serie A at the end of last season. Having a player like Umtiti at their disposal could go a long way in boosting their chances of survival come May.