Barcelona to pay to secure strong defensive line
Ernesto Valverde has overseen a defensive evolution since he arrived at Barcelona, however the Catalan giants are acutely aware they'll be forced to pay in order to secure their defensive line for the future.
Samuel Umtiti has developed into a world class central defender alongside Gerard Pique, the Frenchman makes up for the veteran's lack of energy and they have formed a pairing which works incredibly well together.
Whilst much of the outside focus is often on Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, it has been the defence who have been crucial to the club's fantastic campaign, and Valverde knows just how valuable these players are to his team.
The position of centre-half seems well stocked at the moment with the aforementioned duo as well as Thomas Vermaelen and Yerry Mina, however Los Cules will be forced to act to ensure it stays this way.
Umtiti's form hasn't gone unnoticed across the continent and his 60 million euro buyout clause is temptingly cheap; Manchester United are the team who have been heavily linked of late.
MARCA's own information is that Jose Mourinho actually has no plans to move for the former Lyon defender, with Barcelona's hierarchy increasingly confident that a renewal will be signed sooner rather than later.
There have been preliminary discussions and only an agreement on salary and bonuses is lacking, those in power at the Camp Nou feel as though this is merely a matter of time.
Barcelona would prefer to leave the negotiations until the end of the season as they look to keep everyone's focus firmly on on-pitch matters.
The Frenchman's camp feels slightly differently, they are aware that the World Cup is on the horizon and it provides the perfect opportunity for a player to raise his stock.
Solid performances for France in Russia could increase the demand in Umtiti's services, and a bidding war would do the Blaugrana no favours given the fact there are teams in England who can offer significantly higher wages.
His current contract runs until June 2021, however the LaLiga leaders can't afford to be too difficult in negotiations, as teams would have no qualms about exercising the buyout clause and forcing the defender to make a decision.
Whilst much of the outside focus is often on Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, it has been the defence who have been crucial to the club's fantastic campaign, and Valverde knows just how valuable these players are to his team.
The position of centre-half seems well stocked at the moment with the aforementioned duo as well as Thomas Vermaelen and Yerry Mina, however Los Cules will be forced to act to ensure it stays this way.
Umtiti's form hasn't gone unnoticed across the continent and his 60 million euro buyout clause is temptingly cheap; Manchester United are the team who have been heavily linked of late.
MARCA's own information is that Jose Mourinho actually has no plans to move for the former Lyon defender, with Barcelona's hierarchy increasingly confident that a renewal will be signed sooner rather than later.
There have been preliminary discussions and only an agreement on salary and bonuses is lacking, those in power at the Camp Nou feel as though this is merely a matter of time.
Barcelona would prefer to leave the negotiations until the end of the season as they look to keep everyone's focus firmly on on-pitch matters.
The Frenchman's camp feels slightly differently, they are aware that the World Cup is on the horizon and it provides the perfect opportunity for a player to raise his stock.
Solid performances for France in Russia could increase the demand in Umtiti's services, and a bidding war would do the Blaugrana no favours given the fact there are teams in England who can offer significantly higher wages.
His current contract runs until June 2021, however the LaLiga leaders can't afford to be too difficult in negotiations, as teams would have no qualms about exercising the buyout clause and forcing the defender to make a decision.
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