Barcelona have reportedly offered out-of-favour defender Samuel Umtiti to Newcastle United, as Eddie Howe steps up his search for a centre-back.
The Magpies are closing in on the signing of Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid, with the full-back set to become the club’s first acquisition under the new owners. They have managed to sign Trippier for a fee of £12 million-plus add ons on a two-year deal with the option to extend it for another season.
According to The Daily Mail, Barcelona are keen on offloading Samuel Umtiti this month and have offered him on a potential loan deal with an option to buy. The Catalan giants are in midst of financial problems and must trim their wage bill in order to register their latest acquisition—Ferran Torres. They have made the French centre-back available for just £17m, the report adds.
Samuel Umtiti, 28, enjoyed a fine debut season with Barcelona after arriving from Lyon in 2016 but has since struggled with perennial injury problems and fitness concerns. This has seen the centre-back drop way down the defensive pecking order season after season. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is out-of-favour under new manager Xavi Hernandez and has managed just one La Liga appearance so far this term.
Samuel Umtiti to Newcastle United—Should Eddie Howe take a punt on him?
Newcastle United are in the market for defensive reinforcements after enduring the joint-worst defensive record in the division. They have leaked goals for fun, with Eddie Howe and his coaching staff failing to stop the rut at the back.
The potential arrival of Kieran Trippier would help in tightening the Magpies backline, but Howe needs more quality in his squad to avoid relegation from the top flight. Considering the lack of quality centre-back options at the club, the Newcastle boss should certainly look to bolster that area in this transfer window. Having said that, Howe and co. must try and provide Samuel Umtiti with an escape route from Barcelona.
Umtiti hasn’t played much over the last couple of years due to recurring injury problems, but now fully fit and waiting for his chance to impress at Barcelona, he finds himself behind Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo and Clement Lenglet in the pecking order.
At Newcastle, the Frenchman could get an opportunity to play regularly and revive his career that has stuttered after the 2018 World Cup. In return, the 28-year-old would provide the Magpies’ backline with quality, experience and leadership skills, whilst adding some much-needed depth to Howe’s squad. If Umtiti can stay away from injuries, he could become a game-changing signing for the Toon Army.
All in all, Newcastle must not hesitate to take a gamble on Umtiti and sign him on loan from Barcelona until the end of the season. Time is running out for the Magpies to turn their fortunes around and making optimal use of this January window will go a long way in determining the crucial next phase of the cub’s future.