Reports in Spain suggest that the Barcelona defender had earlier meetings with Manchester United representative and will probably spend his next season at the Old Trafford.
Football News: PSG enters the race for Umtiti as the player had earlier meetings with United
The Red Devils coach Jose Mourinho wants to add Barcelona powerhouse Samuel Umtiti to his own squad to add more stability in the back, as he wants to go for the Premier League title next season.
The French international player has not yet renewed his contract with his present team Barcelona. This gives the opportunity to other clubs to buy him by paying the 52 million release clause in this summer transfer window.
Manchester United have not won the domestic title since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. Current boss Jose Mourinho knows that defenseman solidarity is important to achieve domestic title.
This is why the Spanish website Diario Gol claimed that United chiefs have met with Umtiti and wants to finalize the deal as soon as possible.
José Mourinho wants Manchester United to pay Samuel Umtiti’s €53m release clause this summer. United have offered Umtiti €9m-a-season to join. (Source: SPORT) pic.twitter.com/9epo8MTMKI
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 9, 2018
United's squad is expected to change a lot as Mourinho has suggested that sections of his current squad is not up to the scratch.
“Some of the people we have, they have to be more consistent in their performance and we need more quality.
“I trust some more than others that can bridge that gap.
“I worked with the players for a couple of years. I know them better than anyone.
“Of course, some of the players I am totally convinced are going to make it.
“Some others, I have good hopes that they are going to make it. And some others, I don't believe they are going to make it,” said Mourinho.
However Diario Gol has also claimed that the French club Paris Saint-Germain has also entered the race for Umtiti and wants to lure him out of Barcelona, just the way they had raided Barca for Neymar last season.
However Barcelona chief Josep Maria Bartomeu is hopeful that Umtiti will stay at the club, atleast for the sake of the fans, and will not take interest in other clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
“Umtiti is very important, he knows that, the fans know that.
"He's only in the second year of his contract but our desire is for him to renew his deal.
"But, as directors, we have to make sure [players' wages] are within the salary structure to remain a competitive and sustainable club,” Bartomeu said to Cadena Ser.