Sridhar Bhamidi
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho seems to be using the international break to prepare for the transfer windows ahead. The latest reports say that he has identified Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti as a target to bolster his back line.
According to reports in the Spanish media (Dario Gol), Mourinho wants to make Umtiti his number one target as he looks to take advantage of his release clause. The France defender is a regular at Camp Nou after joining Barcelona from Lyon in the summer of 2016.
Although he struggled initially, Umtiti is now one of the first names on the team sheet for the Catalans and has made 58 appearances for them so far. His current deal expires in 2021 and his release clause stands at €60m. That is very less compared to some of the astronomical numbers we see regularly in transfer windows nowadays.
Mourinho believes that his release clause offers great value and is considering a move for the centre-half. That may be surprising for some of the fans especially since we signed Victor Lindelof from Benfica in the summer. However, the Swedish international has made an unconvincing start to his life at United, having struggled to make an impact. The 23-year-old has not had a meaningful run in the team and appears to be lacking confidence.
A case in point is his performance against Huddersfield Town with an error-strewn display from the defender one of the prime reasons for United’s 2-1 loss. Lindelof is yet to start a Premier League match and looks some way off the pace.
Umtiti, on the other hand, has made an impressive start to the season with Barcelona and has played 15 times under new manager Ernesto Valverde. The Catalans are enjoying the lead in Spanish La Liga with 4 points separating them from second-placed Valencia while arch-rivals Real Madrid are a further 4 away.
The report says that Mourinho is open to the idea of tripling Umtiti’s wages to convince him of a move to Old Trafford. But, will that be enough to lure him? Only time will tell!
