Lacazette wants Barcelona loanee to join Lyon this summer: “We will try”

Samuel Umtiti is one of many on-loan Barcelona players who have enjoyed stellar success since leaving Camp Nou temporarily last summer.

The Frenchman has become a mainstay at the heart of the Lecce backline, establishing himself as one of the best-performing centre-backs in the lower end of the Serie A table. His performances might just help Lecce survive relegation as we enter the final stage of the campaign.

So much so, Umtiti’s performances have now even convinced Lecce to break the bank and bat for a permanent move for the former Lyon starlet in the coming summer.

However, it is apparent that Umtiti’s future might lie elsewhere and to that end, a return to Luon cannot be ruled out.

The player himself has stated his desire to return to his former club and reunite with close friend Alexandre Lacazette.

Now, in a recent media interaction, Lacazette himself has echoed similar sentiments. He praised Umtiti’s performances at Lecce and suggested he would do everything he can to bring back the player to Lyon.

“He has shown that he is back and that his body responds. Good for me and for the club if he returns. I don’t know who to talk to – about the club – right now, but we will try,” Lacazette said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

If Umtiti does return to Lyon this summer, he would become the third former OL star to return to the club, after Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso.

While these returns have not necessarily translated into success, signing Umtiti could prove to be a final piece of the jigsaw as the French team look to once again compete for the league title next season.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are ready to listen to offers for Umtiti and will likely sell the player to the highest bidder. The defender’s exit could help the club reduce the salary mass, ahead of a busy summer ahead.