Juventus ‘agree pact’ with Barcelona for Samuel Umtiti

Juventus have an agreement with Barcelona to sign defender Samuel Umtiti which will allow Matthijs de Ligt to move to the Camp Nou, say Diario AS.

The France international has missed five months of this season with a knee injury but is widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in world football.

The Cameroon-born defender, who joined from Lyon in 2016, has formed a formidable central defensive partnership with Gerard Pique at the Camp Nou.

However, the Blaugrana are keen on a deal for Ajax captain and central defender de Ligt and reportedly need to raise funds in order to further first-team reinvestment.

The emergence of Clement Lenglet and the pursuit of de Ligt has clouded his future at Barca, who reportedly need to raise funds from first-team squad sales in order to add new signings.

Juve were also said to be keen to sign de Ligt but this agreement between the clubs would reportedly satisfy all parties with an amicable solution.

The Old Lady need to renovate an ageing defence with Andrea Barzagli announcing his retirement from playing at the end of the campaign.

Manchester United and Arsenal are also said to hold an interest in Umtiti, who is valued at €70m.

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La Liga - Club News