Barcelona have no plans to recall loanee in January amidst a lack of minutes

Offloading Samuel Umtiti had become a major challenge for Barcelona over the past few transfer windows. The Frenchman’s injury record and steep wages made it impossible for the Blaugrana to find a suitor for him despite various efforts to move him on.

Finally, newly-promoted Serie A side Lecce decided to take a punt on the injury-prone World Cup winner during the previous summer transfer window, signing him on loan for the 2022/23 campaign.

As part of the loan agreement, Barcelona would continue to bear the wages of Umtiti but would be owed appearance-related bonus payments from Lecce. But, at the time of writing, the 28-year-old is yet to make a single appearance for the Italian minnows.

Indeed, the former Olympique Lyon ace has been an unused substitute, warming the bench, in all of Lecce’s last six Serie A matches since he joined the club.

And, SPORT is now reporting that despite his plight, Barcelona have no plans of recalling Umtiti from Lecce or loaning him out to a different club in the January transfer window. As far as the Blaugrana are concerned, the centre-back will complete the season in Italy without a doubt.

Even though he is yet to play a single minute, Lecce assure that the Frenchman is fit but the game-time issue is stemming due to a lack of rhythm given how sparsely he had played over the past year at Barcelona.

The report further adds that Umtiti could finally make his debut for the Serie A outfit this weekend when they face off against Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma. It will be a ‘litmus test’ for the 28-year-old to prove to Lecce manager Marco Baroni that he can still be counted upon.

It remains to be seen how things for Umtiti when he takes the pitch for Lecce. But what is clear that there is no desire from Barcelona’s end to recall him in January.