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According to French newspaper L’Equipe (via Mundo Deportivo), Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are currently ‘monitoring’ Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti.
The 26-year-old was a sure starter at Barcelona since his arrival from Olympique Lyon, in summer 2016. The situation for him only changed due to knee and foot problems that have kept him off the pitch for six of the last fourteen months, beginning in late September last year.
After more knee and foot injuries that kept him out of contention during the start of the current season, Umtiti is back on track. He is yet to reach full capacity, but he is putting a lot of effort to return to the form that had him as one of the best centre-backs in Europe in the last three years.
Due to that, he is not too keen on leaving Barcelona just yet. First, he needs to see where he will stand once he gets back to 100% fitness. And in case his efforts are not enough for him to breach into Barça’s starting eleven, then he might begin to ponder a transfer out of Camp Nou by next summer.
With three of England’s biggest clubs reportedly interest in his services, he would not have much difficulty in finding a good place to stay after life in Barcelona. Especially when all of those are in dire need of defensive reinforcements for next summer, and beyond.