Some Everton supporters and other football fans have reacted to the news that the Toffees have been linked with a promising bargain swoop for Barcelona outcast Samuel Umtiti.
The 27-year-old, who was part of the World Cup-winning France squad in 2018, has yet to feature for Barcelona this season under former Everton manager Ronald Koeman.
The powerful defender’s stature in world football has been on a sharp decline in recent years, largely as a consequence of multiple injuries.
According to Mundo Deportivo [via Daily Mail], Barcelona are pushing hard to shift Umtiti off their books and are willing to reduce their bargain-basement price tag of just £10.7m even further in order to secure a move for their unwanted defender.
One of the most problematic issues with Umtiti for the Spanish outfit is the £75,000-a-week wages commanded by the 27-year-old. Barcelona are keen to fine-tune and shrink their costs across the board significantly in order to preserve financial stability amid the current economic climate.
The Daily Mail noted that defender Gerard Pique and manager Koeman have both ‘restructured’ their pay in recent weeks to help the club manage the financial burden.
Many fans across the football world took to Twitter to have their say. A section of Barcelona supporters were some of the most vocal in pushing to see Umtiti out of the door at the Nou Camp – much to the potential benefit of the Toffees.
Twitter: He is not the solution to the shortcomings in defence
#EFC #EPL #FCBarcelona
https://t.co/9iRkT18f2q (@PrRupertsTower)
Twitter: @VirgilSelvin Andre, Yerry, Digne and now Umtiti. Best Pl club. (@mediocampistaa)
Twitter: Everton living in the past and wanting Umtiti (@EFCJakeee)
Some Barca fans were grateful for Everton taking what they perceive to be an unwanted liability, although one sardonically remarked that Carlo Ancelotti would turn him into a “new Maldini”, referencing the AC Milan legend who played alongside and under the current Toffees manager.
Twitter: @Barca_Buzz @mundodeportivo They are always our protectors.
Always taking our mediocre’s(@FCtikitaka2)
Twitter: @Barca_Buzz @mundodeportivo And then turns out Ancelotti makes him a new Maldini (@fcbxxxs)
Twitter: @Barca_Buzz @mundodeportivo Always Everton
(@VirgilSelvin)
