Out-of-favour Barcelona defender tempted by offers from Saudi Arabia

Following a solid season away on loan at Lecce, Samuel Umtiti will be back at FC Barcelona this summer. However, the French international has no future in Catalonia, with the La Liga champions not counting on him for the future.

Instead, the idea is for Barça to sell Umtiti permanently in the summer, well before the team begins the pre-season training on July 10.

There have been talks of interest from clubs like Inter Milan and AS Roma, but there has been nothing concrete on that front. Umtiti’s former club Olympique Lyon would also be interested and the player would be open to a return to his homeland.

But, according to a report relayed by SPORT, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a possible destination for the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.

The Middle East nation are trying to rope in as many experienced stars as possible from European football as they look to boost their footballing profile ahead of a potential bid for the hosting rights of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Clubs from Saudi Arabia have already sent in offers for Barcelona veterans Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, both of whom will be departing this summer.

And now, it is being claimed that two clubs have tabled proposals for Umtiti as well, which are understood to have tempted the Frenchman.

While the defender prefers staying in Europe and playing for a prominent club, the lack of concrete offers so far could compel him to consider the proposals from Saudi Arabia seriously.

As far as Barcelona are considered, they are eager to finalise Umtiti’s departure at the earliest possible. Ideally, they would prefer to resolve his future before June 30. It is now up to the out-of-favour star to decide whether he is ready to move to Saudi Arabia or wishes to continue in Europe.