Manchester United are hopeful of triggering the release clause of Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti this summer, say reports in the Spanish press.
The French international’s clause at the Camp Nou stands at €60m – a figure United view as attainable, and they are willing to offer a ‘significant increase’ to his €4m annual wages, say Diario Sport.
Yannick Umtiti – Samuel’s brother and agent – is said to be in ‘constant contact’ with United, with indications that the player would be willing to move clubs with an annual wage packet of €9m.
The English club have extensively scouted the Cameroonian-born defender and chief executive Ed Woodward was recently in the stands to watch him take on Atletico Madrid last Sunday.
Jose Mourinho has called the player ‘on a regular basis’ and Umtiti may also be persuaded by this affection and the presence of international teammates Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.
Barca are said to have already started the negotiation process for his renewal, advanced by this strong interest, but cannot match United’s economic proposal and the defender has a ‘complicated’ decision to make.
