Barcelona locate the ideal Samuel Umtiti replacement in England
By Kian Long
Barcelona has turned to the Premier League in order to complete their task of replacing Samuel Umtiti…
Amid all that’s happening in the world right now, sport has been put on halt and understandably so. However, the transfer market is still very much alive and active, as the Barcelona hierarchy has not given up on their summer hopes.
Quique Setien’s men head into the uncertain break top of the La Liga table, two points clear of Real Madrid in second. It remains to be seen what will be done in regards to the remainder of the season but one thing’s for sure, Barcelona has some work to do if they want to maintain their top-spot heading into next season.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalans have a strategy in mind. Sergi Sole has reported that Barcelona is becoming seriously interested in a move for Aymeric Laporte in the summer. The French defender is currently playing for Manchester City.
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Laporte is a great physical presence and it was shown when he returned to Premier League action earlier this season. Manchester City fans didn’t know what they were missing with the Frenchman out of action but he was soon to remind them.
Laporte is an excellent passer of the ball, sometimes it’s even confusing why he isn’t playing as a midfielder. He has a great cross-field ball that he likes to play when he sees the winger in space. This will greatly benefit Barcelona, particularly when Lionel Messi is asking for the ball out wide.
If Barca does manage to sign Laporte, then it could be the end of Samuel Umtiti‘s Barcelona career, providing he is not already sold by then, of course. Umtiti is a great defender but unfortunately for Setien, he is unreliable given his track record of injuries.
This should be Barcelona’s priority, besides sorting out the future of Lionel Messi of course. They need to sign a replacement for Umtiti, and bringing in the 25-year-old Laporte to support Clement Lenglet for years to come is the ideal solution.
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Do you think Barcelona should sign Aymeric Laporte this summer?