Benfica to make push for Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti

Benfica are set to make a bid for Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti as manager Jorge Jesus wants to strengthen his backline.

According to Sport, Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur reports the Benfica manager wants another left-footed center-back following the injury to Jan Vertonghen.

Samuel Umtiti and Barcelona set to be offered a lifeline by Benfica

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The Portuguese side is prepared to offer Barcelona €10 million for the Frenchman.

Umtiti has a contract until 2023 and, up until recently, had been quite adamant he wanted to fulfill his contract and stay at the club.

However, all that changed following the Joan Gamper match against Juventus.

When he entered the game, and every time he touched the ball, he was greeted with boos and whistles. Once the game was over, he immediately made his way to the dressing room instead of staying out on the pitch to celebrate the preseason trophy.

He was affected by the treatment of the fans who blame him, and his high wages, as one of the reasons the Catalans were unable to re-sign Lionel Messi. Not to mention the last couple of seasons where he’s been injured and played poorly even when given the opportunity.

Umtiti is now open to a move but his high wages continue to scare away potential suitors. Before the Benfica rumor, he was linked with a loan away but that may change if the Catalans accept the proposal.

While it may not be the amount they would have hoped, the wage bill is a significant detriment to the club and, at this point, any amount saved is progress. They are desperate to decrease it as they are only a few days away from the start of LaLiga and it is still unknown whether they can register Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia.