---
title: "Everton Interested in Barcelona Defender Samuel Umtiti"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/everton-linked-with-samuel-umtiti-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2020-12-01T11:00:31Z"
modified: "2020-12-01T11:00:31Z"
---

# Everton Interested in Barcelona Defender Samuel Umtiti

Everton have been linked with an audacious bargain swoop for a Barcelona exile in a move which could cause one defender at Goodison Park to sweat over his long-term future.

Samuel Umtiti, who was [part of the France squad](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/samuel-umtiti/erfolge/spieler/126540) which won the 2018 World Cup, has [yet to play a single minute](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/samuel-umtiti/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/126540) at Barcelona this season under the stewardship of former Toffees manager Ronald Koeman.

Umtiti has suffered a long-term [‘downfall’](https://barcatimes.com/samuel-umtiti-downfall-at-its-worst/) in previous years with the Catalan giants, largely as a consequence of [injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/samuel-umtiti/verletzungen/spieler/126540). The La Liga titans are said to be incredibly keen to offload the defender, according to [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20201130/49822451411/ancelotti-se-fija-en-umtiti-para-su-everton.html), and are willing to further reduce their cut-price tag of £10.7m in order to secure a deal.

The [sticking point](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9004325/Everton-line-exiled-Barcelona-defender-Samuel-Umtiti.html) for Barcelona is the £75,000-a-week wages commanded by the 27-year-old, with the club keen to trim their wage bill significantly in order to preserve funds amid the current economic climate.

The [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9004325/Everton-line-exiled-Barcelona-defender-Samuel-Umtiti.html) noted that veteran defender Gerard Pique and manager Koeman have both ‘restructured’ their pay in recent weeks to help the club manage the financial burden.

### Read Everton Verdict

Umtiti could well prove to be a bargain buy for such a figure. Given his [impressive CV](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/samuel-umtiti/erfolge/spieler/126540) and his reasonably young age, he strikes a balance between quality, experience and potential. Reshaping his confidence would be a challenge, as would preventing [recurring injury woes](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/samuel-umtiti/verletzungen/spieler/126540), but it isn’t a conundrum which cannot be overcome.

If Everton can make their move – possibly for a sum which could represent good value for money – then Umtiti could be a shrewd acquisition.

Indeed, ex-Barcelona defender [Yerry Mina](https://readeverton.com/2020/11/23/yerry-mina-criticised-performance-fulham-twitter/) may well sweat over his long-term future at Goodison Park were Umtiti to be signed, with his poor performances [being noted over recent weeks](https://readeverton.com/2020/11/23/yerry-mina-criticised-performance-fulham-twitter/) amid defensive concerns for Carlo Ancelotti’s team – a problem [which the manager has publicly acknowledged](https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/carlo-ancelotti-insists-evertons-recent-struggles-are-down-to-defensive-issues-39773138.html).