Samuel Umtiti was unclear when quizzed over his future at Barcelona and a possible future move to Manchester United.
The French defender was asked a series of questions on French television whereby he could respond only with either a ‘yes’, ‘no’ or a ‘joker’.
He was asked if he would renew his contract at the Camp Nou and then whether he could sign for Manchester United this summer, and the Cameroonian-born defender responded with ‘joker’ to both.
Earlier this week, Diario Sport claimed a move this summer was ‘possible’ as he wanted a ‘significant’ wage increase, although El Mundo Deportivo played down these rumours.
The French international’s clause at the Camp Nou stands at €60m – a figure many clubs may view as attainable while his current annual wages reportedly stand at €4m.
Yannick Umtiti – Samuel’s brother and agent – is said to be in ‘constant contact’ with Manchester United, with indications that the player would be willing to move clubs with an annual wage packet of €9m on offer.
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 reportedly 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.
