Rafa Benitez could lure Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti to Everton
Samuel Umtiti could be lured to Everton by manager Rafa Benitez this month as Barcelona aim to sell the defender, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper reported via their print edition on August 19 [page 54] that the Blues are hoping to “cash in on Barcelona’s cash crisis” by landing the 27-year-old France international.
It is understood that the 2018 World Cup winner is “among a string of big-name stars” who Barca “want to offload”.
The Mirror adds that while Umtiti would rather join a club who play in the Champions League, he could be lured to Merseyside by Benitez.
Mina out, Umtiti in?
Benitez’s reign as Everton’s manager may have started well at the weekend with a 3-1 win over Southampton at Goodison, but the Spaniard’s squad on Merseyside is far from perfect.
Michael Keane endured an absolute shocker when he basically gifted the Saints the opening goal of the match while Mason Holgate was preferred at centre-back over Yerry Mina.
According to Spanish news outlet Sport, Mina has struggled to impress Benitez since the ex-Liverpool boss arrived at Goodison and the Colombian centre-back could be on his way out of the Toffees by the end of the month.
It was reported last month that Benitez wants to “replace” Mina and Umtiti may be someone he can do that with.
Umtiti has made 132 appearances in all competitions for Barca since joining them five years ago.
Last season, he started only seven La Liga matches due to a knee injury and the fact that Ronald Koeman had other options he preferred. Still, the ex-Lyon defender helped Barca keep eight clean sheets and won all but one of the 13 league matches he played a role in.
Umtiti could be a good signing for us but we’ll have to see what the finances of any potential deal would be.
Plus, with the Financial Fair Play rules hindering Benitez’s first transfer window, Everton may have to sell Mina before they do replace him.
In other Everton news, this Blues player is scheduled to undergo a medical at a new club this week.
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