Arsenal step up Umtiti pursuit

Arsenal have reportedly decided to step up their pursuit of Samuel Umtiti of Barcelona, according to reports in Italy.

Gazetta dello Sport claim that the Gunners have made contact in their effort to sign the defender, and that manager Unai Emery sees him as a vital addition to his squad and a priority for this summer’s transfer window.

Arsenal are truly in need of a player whose presence would bring a calming influence and a strong quality boost into their the back line. Meanwhile, Umtiti’s importance to Barcelona’s defence is rapidly diminishing. He has suffered a serious knee injury which kept him out for a long time, enabling Clement Lenglet to step into the team and make himself the preferred choice for head coach Ernesto Valverde to partner Gerard Pique at the back.

The Catalans are going strongly in for Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax, and the potential sale of Umtiti would not only open up space in the squad for the young Dutchman, but also provide a large portion of the funds they need to make it happen.