Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Marquinhos, Samuel Umtiti, Top Rumours

Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez has reportedly made Olympique Lyonnais centre-back Samuel Umtiti the club’s top defensive target this summer, although it’s said manager Luis Enrique would prefer Paris Saint-Germain starlet Marquinhos.

That’s according to Sport, which stated the Blaugrana are “focused on strengthening their defence this summer” and are beginning to whittle down a list of targets. Umtiti is said to be top of the pile, although it’s suggested that while Fernandez is a fan, the 22-year-old has “not convinced” Enrique.

The France under-21 international has developed into a gifted defender, shining in Ligue 1 last term and showing his class in the centre of defence, having previously been utilised as a left-back.

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

When it comes to the Barcelona blueprint, he fits in a lot of categories too. Not only would Umtiti bring some youthful energy to an area of the pitch that’s packed with veterans, he’s technical and intelligent in the way he defends and a fine distributor too.

Football journalist Rafael Hernandez is excited by the prospect of the young centre-back making a switch to the Camp Nou:

There needs to be transparency between the technical secretary and the head coach, though. While many consider Umtiti one of Europe’s most exciting rising stars, if Enrique doesn’t have full confidence in his playing style, it’s not going to cultivate a healthy dynamic for the team or the player,

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In the report, it’s noted the Barcelona manager is looking for different things from his centre-backs. Enrique is said to want someone who is accustomed to the demands of Spain’s top flight, with new Manchester United recruit Eric Bailly noted as a previous possible option, as well as Marquinhos, someone he apparently feels is “a player more in Barca's style.”

The Brazil international is another of the game’s most exciting defensive prospects, although he’s had to be content with deputising for Thiago Silva and David Luiz in the French capital. Here is a look at the kind of talent he has:

Marquinhos would be a more expensive acquisition, although he’d be a safer bet for Barcelona. The 22-year-old may still have a long way to go in his career, but he’s been part of teams that have won major honours, as well as competing in the Champions League. His elegant, watchful style would also see him thrive at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona fan Sergi Dominguez thinks getting Marquinhos on board would be a big coup for the Liga champions but difficult to pull off:

Here is a look at how the two young defenders compared last season in league matches to Barcelona’s premier centre-back, Gerard Pique:

	Marquinhos	Umtiti	Pique
Apps (Sub)	20 (9)	30	30
Goals	1	1	2
Tackles per game	1.4	1.4	1.3
Interceptions per game	1.3	2.4	1.8
Clearances per game	3.1	4.8	3.6
Blocks per game	0.6	0.6	0.6
Passing accuracy	93.3%	87.2%	90.5%

Marquinhos may be viewed as having a prosperous future at the Parc des Princes and could well be integrated into the team more frequently next season, but he could potentially be a perfect foil for Pique for many seasons. Given his tender years, he could even be the Spain international’s successor for the Blaugrana.

Going out and prising him away from PSG would be expensive but likely worth it. And while Umtiti has a lot of qualities and plenty to suggest he could thrive in Catalonia, he has a lower glass ceiling than Marquinhos.

If Barcelona want to maintain the world-class standards they’ve set in recent seasons, they must be willing to pay world-class prices.