Defender is tight-lipped on possible Reds switch
BARCELONA defender Samuel Umtiti has refused to respond to speculation linking him with a move to United.
After an impressive season in La Liga, the centre-back has made his way onto the radar of a number of clubs and recent reports claim he is on his way to Old Trafford in the summer.
But the French international wasn’t giving anything away in a recent interview while on international duty.
Umtiti, along with Chelsea attacker Olivier Giroud, were taking part in a quiz on French television where they were asked to answer every question with either yes, no or joker.
The joker option appeared to be the best way to pass on answering a question and that’s what he did on two occasions when asked if he would renew his contract at the Nou Camp and if he would be signing for United.
The defender’s current deal expires in 2021 and there are reports that Barcelona bosses are keen to tie him down to a long-term deal, while Jose Mourinho is looking to bring in another central defender to partner Eric Bailly.
The latest reports coming out of Spanish outlet Sport claim Umtiti will leave Barcelona for Old Trafford in the summer.
They claim a deal is edging closer as the La Liga side have refused to pay him what he wants as they feel his demands are unjustified. JOSE Mourinho has told scouts to scour the globe for midfield targets as he intends to complete his overhaul of United’s engine room.
The Reds boss plans to sign at least one midfielder this summer, with Michael Carrick retiring and Marouane Fellaini also expected to depart.
He has made major signings in that department in each of his two summer transfer windows at Old Trafford – recruiting Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
And United’s manager has cast his net far and wide in search of a player who will be able to complete his dream midfield.
Mourinho has set the bar high – telling scouts to find a player capable of emulating Carrick’s influence over the veteran’s trophyladen Old Trafford career.
Among an extensive list of players who have been monitored are Arturo Vidal, Marco Verratti, JeanMichael Seri, Fred and Jorginho.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has also been linked with a move to United.
Mourinho is determined to sign a player to help his side dominate in midfield in a manner in which they have failed to do on too many occasions this season.
Pogba’s injury pre-Christmas, followed by his loss of form in the second half of the season, has not helped.
Mourinho had believed Carrick would be able to play an important role this term – but he was ruled out for much of the campaign due to a heart condition.
United have no other player who can match the 36-year-old’s distribution or ball retention in the holding role.
Mourinho has come to the same conclusion as his predecessor Louis van Gaal, that finding a natural successor to the former England international is key to the development of his team.
Vidal’s experience at the highest level has made him a stand-out candidate for Mourinho, given the Chilean’s pedigree at Juventus and Bayern Munich. His own willingness to leave the German champions is the main stumbling block. Fred, Seri, Verratti, Jorginho and Milinkovic-Savic represent younger options. Shakhtar Donetsk are adamant either United or City will sign their prize asset Fred – but Mourinho made no move as the Brazilian was subject to interest from Pep Guardiola in January. Fred’s representatives are no longer confident a move to the Etihad will go through at the end of the season – but it’s not clear if United will firm up their interest in the summer. Mourinho is weighing up a host of options – emulating his approach to last summer. Romelu Lukaku was signed at a time when Real Madrid thought they were negotiating the sale of Alvaro Morata to United. Matic was on a shortlist of two that included Eric Dier – and Victor Lindelof’s signing came after major interest in Michael Keane and Marquinhos. Given that Mourinho could yet bring in two midfielders, it makes sense that he is drawing up James Robson