Transfer News: Tottenham tipped to sign Samuel Umtiti

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been tipped to secure the services of Barcelona outcast Samuel Umtiti in the ongoing transfer window.

In conversation with Football FanCast, La Liga expert Euan McTear has claimed that Samuel Umtiti could well be on his way to Tottenham in the summer transfer window. The French defender has become surplus to requirement at Barcelona, who wish to offload him as soon as possible.

Umtiti joined Barcelona from Lyon in the summer of 2016 and enjoyed an impressive debut season at Camp Nou. However, a spate of injuries following a memorable debut campaign have been quite detrimental to his fortunes at the Catalan club, with Umtiti missing more games than he has played in the last four seasons or so.

This was prevalent last term as well, as another long-term injury coupled with the advent of Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza restricted the 27-year-old to a mere eight starts in all competitions in addition to eight further outings off the bench. With things going from bad to worse, Barcelona are eager to cut their losses on the Frenchman and part with him this summer.

As per widespread reports, there appears to be no shortage of interest in Umtiti, with Arsenal and Manchester United among his suitors. However, Tottenham have been tipped to be the player’s next destination, according to La Liga expert Euan McTear.

Three potential destinations for Samuel Umtiti as Barcelona consider summer sale | THT Opinions

Speaking to Football FanCast, McTear said, “To go to Tottenham is a step down from Barcelona, but it’s a step up from sitting on the bench and even in the stands. There’s a World Cup next year, so I’m sure he wants to get back playing, so I’m sure Tottenham could be an option.”

Tottenham are indeed in the market for a centre-back as they begin life under Nuno Espirito Santo. And defence is mooted to be one of the departments in need of being reinforced, seeing as Toby Alderweireld is on the wrong side of 30 and wishes to call it quits at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium while Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez have been far from convincing of late.

As a result, Spurs have been linked with a number of central defenders, including Milan Skriniar, Cristian Romero and Jules Kounde while there are suggestions that they are on the verge of signing Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna. And now, Barcelona outcast Umtiti could be an option for Tottenham as well.

What now remains to be seen is if Tottenham end up holding any interest in signing Umtiti at all or if they focus their attention on the aforementioned centre-backs. For now, all that remains certain is that the French defender’s future at Barcelona is non-existent, and his next destination will be interesting to see.