Transfer Rumors: Samuel Umtiti Renewal Talks “Jammed”

“Umtiti in danger!” shouts tomorrow’s front cover of DIario SPORT. That’s because the player has a low release clause until his contract is renewed, and the talks have become “jammed” for the time being, according to the daily. Supposedly, Barcelona are unwilling to match the offer Manchester United have made for the Frenchman, a cool 9 million euro per year net.

Samuel Umtiti has impressed fans since his arrival to Barcelona, quickly becoming a starter, and some say, one of the world’s best defenders. But his release clause remains at the original price set when he signed, 60 million euro. The transfer market has inflated since then, to the point that such a staggering figure is actually quite cheap given his quality.

Umtiti was recently asked on French TV whether he’d renew with Barcelona. On the show Téléfoot, Umtiti was involved in a segment (along with Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud) which asked quickfire questions for them to answer yes or no. The defender was asked first if he would renew, and second whether he’d join Manchester United. Umtiti simply said “joker,” an expression used to avoid answering a question (essentially, “pass”) as an answer to both questions.