Transfer News: Liverpool turn down chance to sign Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona
According to a report by Anfield Watch (h/t Express), Liverpool have been offered the opportunity to sign 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, Samuel Umtiti, as Barcelona look to raise funds for the summer transfer window.
The defender’s agents offered the player to Liverpool but also contacted other clubs. Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, Olympique Lyonnaise, and LOSC Lille are the other teams contacted by them.
However, the Reds turned down the opportunity to sign the 27-year-old in a deal that would have cost them just £6million. RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate is all set to join Anfield at the end of the season for £40million.
But regardless of that, the Reds are worried about Umtiti’s injury record considering he has had 12 separate injuries since he joined the Catalan club from France. (h/t Express)
No Umtiti
The Reds are also troubled by Umtiti’s £208,000-a-week wages. Klopp’s club have a wage structure in place and this would be incongruent with it.
The concerns about his injury record are valid. He has just 12 La Liga appearances this season and the Reds have themselves seen their season destroyed by injuries to key defenders.
They would surely not want a repeat of that next season, especially from a new signing. Otherwise, a player of Umtiti’s calibre for that price would seem like a no-brainer.
Liverpool signed Ozan Kabak from Schalke on loan and Ben Davies on a permanent deal at the end of the January transfer window. Apart from that, they are expected to have their main men in defence back by the time next season starts.
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In such a scenario, the German gaffer must take a lot of things into consideration if he wants to get in a big name in defence.
