Barcelona Transfer News: Samuel Umtiti Deadline Set in Latest Rumours

Barcelona reportedly want a resolution over the future of defender Samuel Umtiti within a month amid speculation he may be on the move this summer.

According to Lluis Miguelsanz of Sport, Barcelona do not want a transfer saga to manifest and "the idea now is for everything to be sorted out" by the beginning of May.

It's noted that Umtiti has a €60 million (£52 million) release clause in his contract at the Camp Nou, a sum a number of sides would be ready to pay following his remarkable recent progression. Manchester United are said to have made their interest known.

Barcelona want to agree on a new contract with the Frenchman as a result, although according to Miguelsanz, the two parties are a fair way off a successful negotiation.

"Barca and Umtiti's people plan to meet soon to talk terms," the Sport article continued. "He has offers on the table, as he has admitted himself. The terms of those offers are more than Barca have offered so far."

After his involvement in Barcelona's second goal on Wednesday in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Roma, the centre-back grabbed the club badge in celebration.

Afterwards, he made it clear he feels strongly about the Catalan giants:

When he arrived at Barca in 2016, Umtiti was a well-known prospect, although it was anticipated he would take some time to fully adjust to life away from Lyon.

It's made his recent development into one of the best defenders in the game all the more impressive, and he's been key alongside Gerard Pique this season. Barca have conceded fewer goals than any other side in La Liga, have progressed into the Copa del Rey final and are on the cusp of the Champions League semis.

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Speculation has gathered pace in recent weeks about the 24-year-old's future at Barca, though. Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC hasn't enjoyed some of the things that have come out in the press:

Having watched him blossom and witnessed the transfer market inflate, it's not a shock Barcelona are concerned about the player's release amount.

For any elite side in Europe with a significant sum to spend, he'd be a tempting prospect. Not only is Umtiti an outstanding player, his attitude on the field is exemplary. Given his age, there's every chance he'll continue to get better and better.

Although the defender may agree he's worth more than he's currently being paid, it would be a big surprise if he did decide to leave Barcelona. At the Camp Nou, he's a key man playing alongside some of the world's best footballers and challenging for major trophies.

Barcelona will want the matter resolved before the summer transfer window to prevent club's applying even more pressure on their star defender. There doesn't appear to be any major reasons for panic for Blaugrana supporters yet, though.