Italian club keen on signing Barcelona defender on a permanent transfer: “Can be explored”

In an attempt to clear out their squad in the summer, Barcelona sent out a bunch of players on loan.

Clement Lenglet joined Tottenham Hotspur, Sergino Dest headed to AC Milan, Francisco Trincao returned to Portugal to join Sporting Lisbon, Osasuna signed Ez Abde, while Samuel Umtiti transferred to Lecce.

These moves have, for the most part, found mixed success. While Trincao seems to be set to join Sporting permanently, there are already reports claiming that Milan have no interest in permanently signing Dest.

One move that has pleasantly surprised everyone is Umtiti’s. The Frenchman has been integral for Lecce this season, finding his near-best form as the side sits 13th in Serie A, ten points off relegation.

Lecce are more than happy with Umtiti, and would even consider signing him on a permanent transfer in the summer, as per their chief Pantaleo Corvino.

“We are going to see if have the approval of Barcelona and the player. If we have the go-ahead from both, that can be explored. In the summer, Umtiti already chose our project,” he said, as per Calcio Mercato (h/t Barça Times).

Umtiti has played 12 games for Lecce in Serie A this season. They have lost just three games out of those, and have got results against points off Lazio, Roma, Milan, and Atalanta.

His recent impressive form has, in no way, gone under the radar, though. Reports have claimed that the defender has become an option for Barcelona in the summer as they hope to sign a left-footed CB in the team.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Evan Ndicka and Athletic Club’s Inigo Martinez are also players being considered for that role.

Other than that, Milan have also been linked with Umtiti and are hoping to sign him for free in the summer after negotiating with Barça.