David Ornstein: Will Arsenal sign Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti?
When the BBC’s David Ornstein speaks, Arsenal fans pay attention.
Ornstein appeared on BBC 5 Live radio on Tuesday night to discuss the latest transfer news swirling around the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal will sign Nicolas Pepe imminently, as Ornstein also confirmed on his social media account.
Arsenal are on course to confirm the €80m club-record signing of Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe from Lille later this week. The 24-year-old winger/forward has arrived in London & will undergo a medical today before signing a five-year contract at the Emirates #AFC #LOSC
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) July 30, 2019
Of course, Arsenal have also signed Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid on a season-long loan.
But will Arsenal also sign Barcelona and French international defender Samuel Umtiti?
When that rumour was addressed by Ornstein, the BBC reporter simply said:
Names like Samuel Umtiti of Barcelona have been linked.
I don’t know if that’s credible, I have don’t have any information on who they might be going for.
Laurent Koscielny & Shkodran Mustafi
David Ornstein also dropped a few pieces of information regarding Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi.
On Koscielny, the BBC reporter confirmed that Unai Emery had been planning to use the 33-year-old heavily in the upcoming season.
Moreover, Ornstein claimed that Koscielny believes Arsene Wenger would have let him leave the club for free this summer if he was still in charge.
To recap, Koscielny refused to go on Arsenal’s US tour, while the club captain has a year to run on his current deal.
Rennes have held talks for Koscielny, while the defender also has other suitors.
Arsenal technical director Edu met with the Stade Rennes president + the representative of Laurent Koscielny in London yesterday. Talks between #AFC & suitors continue in a bid to resolve Koscielny’s future. The 33yo captain does not anticipate playing for the Gunners again #SRFC
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) July 30, 2019
On Shkodran Mustafi, Ornstein again confirmed that the defender wants to stay at Arsenal this season.
Arsenal in talks with number of clubs over Shkodran Mustafi exit. 27yo (contract until 2021) wants to stay + prove himself. But #AFC want permanent or loan departure. Also hope to bolster central defence pre-deadline & retain interest in Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney #CelticFC
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) July 30, 2019
Could Man United sign Samuel Umtiti?
It’s been commonplace this summer to read about Man United’s attempts to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester.
But if Maguire proves unattainable, Le10Sport (via Mundo Deportivo) have claimed Man United may try to sign Umtiti instead.
It’s claimed Man United would offer Barcelona 50 million euros for the defender.
On the face of it, however, Man United face an uphill struggle trying to poach Umtiti from the Camp Nou.
The French centre-half recently penned a five-year deal, keeping him under contract until 2023.
In addition, Barcelona have their own problems at centre-half, with only four current options: Umtiti, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and teenager Jean-Clair Todibo.
Finally, Umtiti’s health status is worth considering.
The defender was sidelined with a knee injury last season, restricting him to just 14 La Liga appearances.
Should that serve as a warning to possible suitors like Arsenal and Man United?
Also see: Arsenal agreement for Celtic’s Kieran Tierney is close, transfer timetable revealed.
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