Manchester United Transfer News: Samuel Umtiti Insists He's Happy at Barcelona

Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has said he's happy at the club amid rumours Manchester United could activate his buyout clause and triple his wages at Old Trafford.

In the strongest defence of his status at the Camp Nou since murmurs of a move to United escalated, Umtiti spoke of Barca as the "club of his dreams," almost two years after joining from Lyon.

Talking to Canal FC (h/t Samuel Luckhurst of Manchester Evening News) Umtiti said: 

"It's not only Manchester United. Other clubs want me as well, but my sole focus is on Barcelona. 

"It was my dream to play at Barca. And I achieved it when I was just 22. I'm very happy here, whenever I play and whenever I train.

"Negotiations for a contract renewal have not started yet. My release clause is low, but that's not what I worry about, I focus on the pitch."

However, despite saying how much Barcelona appeals to him, Umtiti still wants a pay rise, according to Sky Sports La Liga expert Guillem Balague:

The €60 million (£52.6 million) value of his buyout clause is also a key component in United's hopes of cutting a deal. 

And while Umtiti acknowledged the fee is low, he said it's not a concern of his, per Marca: "The clause is not very high as everyone knows and it is not something that worries me or interests me. I am concentrated on the pitch which is what I enjoy, we will see what happens with the rest."

Marca writer Chris Winterburn reinforced the notion that Umtiti is content in Catalonia, but he still suggested the potential value of a deal is bound to attract widespread interest and possible rivals to United:

The ball appears to be in Barca's court, with the club in need to increase Umtiti's buyout and therefore agree a new contract, but the centre-back is in a position to demand a wage on par with United's alleged offer.

Sport (h/t MailOnline's Max Winters) reported Umtiti wants to move level with Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta in earnings, with the Red Devils already happy to pay him €9 million (£7.8 million) per year—around £150,000 per week.

In contrast, Sport (h/t Mirror's Alex Richards) said Umtiti earns a third of that at the Camp Nou—£2.6 million per year. Barcelona's wage bill is likely already high after signing Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho in the past year.

Umtiti's language and the natural inclination to believe someone who says they're happy in arguably the best current team in the world makes a United move seem distant.

And blogger Liam Canning hinted his contract delays are little more than posturing:

Jose Mourinho's need to upgrade on the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Daley Blind at centre-back should see United invest in that area this summer, and Umtiti would be a wise choice in that regard.

However, there's still little reason to suggest the Frenchman would be joining for anything other than a higher salary if the move did materialise.