Milan and Inter set for transfer battle over Barcelona World Cup winner

Suraj Radia

• 7 Mar 2023 15:41 CST
• 2 min read

Barcelona have received interest from Italy in one of their fringe players as they look to raise money in sales in order to be able to make signings this summer.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has claimed that Barca will be prevented from bringing any players in until they raise €200 million through sales, a number which will require the exit of a host of players.

One player who the club have been trying to get rid of for years has been Samuel Umtiti, however Barca handed the Frenchman a new deal until 2026 last year in a move that allowed them to pay him less across a longer period, relieving some strain on their wage bill.

FIRE SALE: The players Barcelona could sell to raise €200m

Barca were hoping they could sell Umiti down the line, with teams uneasy at matching his previous wages due to his injury record and lack of gametime in Spain.

Umtiti joined Serie A side Lecce on loan and Barca’s gamble appears to have paid off, with the 29-year-old impressing enough during his time in Italy to attract attention from Inter Milan.

Italian outlet Gazetta dello Sport claim that Inter have joined Milan in the race to sign to sign Umtiti as they search for a replacement for Milan Skriniar, who is set to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer when his contract expires.

The details behind Umtiti’s strange career at Barcelona

Umtiti joined Barca for €25m in 2016 and was a regular fixture in his first two seasons with the club before picking up a series of injuries that limited him to just 41 league appearances in the last four seasons.

His previous deal was set to expire this summer but he restructured his deal in January 2022 order to take a 10% wage cut and spreading the amount owed across three more years, allowing Barca space on their wage bill to register the signing of Ferran Torres.

INTEREST: Umtiti wanted by Italian sides

Barcelona are reported to have an option to still terminate Umtiti’s deal this summer but the interest from other clubs, combined with the need to raise funds, could see them push for a sale instead.

Lecce have the best defensive record outside the top seven in Serie A despite sitting 15th, with Umtiti playing a large part in their recent good form having previously not made an appearance for the club until October.