Man Utd could trump Arsenal to £54m deal as club prepare to sell target

Managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads during the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Here, Barcelona are ready to sell Samuel Umtiti….

Manchester United could be favourites ahead of Arsenal to sign Samuel Umtiti after Barcelona slapped a £54m price-tag on the centre-backs head this summer, according to the Mirror.

Umtiti made his name as one of the best young defenders in European football during his time at Lyon before earning a move to Barcelona in 2016 but his spell at the Nou Camp has turned into something of a nightmare.

The 25-year-old has struggled with persistent knee injuries over the past two seasons and made just 14 appearances in all competitions last season. He’s found himself behind Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet in Ernesto Valverde’s pecking order and will find regular football even harder to come by if Barca are successful in their pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt.

It’s led to speculation Umtiti will be on the move this summer in search of first team football and the Mirror claim Arsenal and Manchester United have expressed their interest in signing the French international.

Unai Emery is desperate to strengthen his defence after Arsenal missed out on the top four last season and Umtiti would be a huge upgrade on the likes of Shkodran Mustafi if they could lure him to north London.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also in the market for a top class centre-back after United conceded 54 Premier League goals last season and Umtiti would be viewed as c cheaper alternative to the likes of Harry Maguire.

It appears Arsenal and Manchester United have now been handed a boost as the Mirror says Barcelona are ready to cash-in on Umtiti as they look to raise money to fund their pursuits of Neymar and Antoine Griezmann.

However, the report says the Catalans will only sell if their £54m [€60m] valuation is met in full which would make United favourites as they have more financial firepower than Arsenal this summer.

Emery is reportedly being hampered by a limited transfer budget after missing out on Champions League football so the Gunners may struggle to match Barca’s £45m asking price for Umtiti.

READ –> Arsenal transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

United also missed out on the top four but they have huge financial clout and would easily be able to afford £54m so the Manchester giants could be well placed to land Umtiti if Solskjaer decides to make his interest formal.