Samuel Umtiti has reportedly agreed a five-year contract with Barcelona as the club hope to sign the Lyon defender for no more than €25m.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Umtiti will put pen to paper until 2021 once he returns from Euro 2016 duty for France and is awaiting news of a done-deal from his brother-agent Yannick.
Representatives from Barca were locked in talks with their Lyon counterparts last week over a fee and form of payment.
The Catalans hoped to have concluded the signing of Umtiti by now, but progress on a deal between the two clubs has been slower than anticipated, although it has not stopped the 22-year-old from agreeing personal terms.
Barca’s other priority is keeping Javier Mascherano, while they continue to keep tabs on young Las Palmas stopper Mauricio Lemos.
In the wake of Dani Alves and Marc Bartra’s departures, a centre back and right back have become top priorities although Sergi Roberto has the faith of the manager and exceeded all expectations at the role last season.
The 22-year-old Umtiti was a surprise inclusion in the France squad for Euro 2016 after he was called up to take the place of an injured Jeremy Mathieu and could now be set to join his compatriot at the Camp Nou after the newly-crowned La Liga champions reportedly opened transfer negotiations with Lyon.
But while the Cameroon-born player admits that the prospect of playing for Barcelona is an enticing one for most players, he is refusing to allow their interest to deflect is focus from his duty with France at this summer’s finals.
“It’s true that Barcelona is a great club and virtually every player would like to play there, but I’m happy to be here at Euro 2016 and taking my chances,” said Umtiti.
“My agents are handling my future. I don’t pay much attention to this now as I’m focused on the tournament.”
Samuel Umtiti’s Barcelona medical is set to take place once France’s participation in the European Championships is over. The Lyon defender plans to travel to the Catalan city for medical tests, to sign his contract and to be presented as a Barça player.
All this should happen in the first few weeks of July, when Euro 2016 has finished and the agreement can be announced.
