The four keys to Samuel Umtiti's contract renewal
Talks between Barcelona and the defender's people haven't started well
Samuel Umtiti's contract renewal at Barcelona will not be an easy one to achieve, given that his release clause of 60 million euros makes him an objective for Europe's biggest clubs. Manchester United are making the strongest move, but there are other teams, too. Here are the four keys to the current situation:
1.- POSITIONS MILES APART
Negotiations between Barça and Umtiti aren't going well, as SPORT revealed last week. The Catalan club want to improve his contract but feel it's impossible to pay the nine million euros net mentioned by his agent, which has been offered by other clubs. Barça, meanwhile, don't want to break their salary structure and feel Umtiti is still not ready to be in the second tier of players after Lionel Messi.
2.- MANCHESTER UNITED PRESSING
Jose Mourinho's United are aware of the situation. That's why in the last few days they have intensified their contact with the player's people, promising a contract in line with his exceptional performances. However, there are other clubs now on the phone to Umtiti's agent, too.
3.- A DODGY MEETING
Umtiti declared on Friday that negotiations have not yet started but that's not the case: there was a first meeting three weeks ago, with Pep Segura and Oscar Grau present on Barça's side and Umtiti's brother/agent there for the player. It was a short meeting because it only served to clarify that the two positions are miles apart. They plan to speak again after the Roma tie in the Champions League.
4.- ROBERT FERNANDEZ
The player's people say that for negotiations not to break down they want Robert Fernandez involved. The sporting director pushed for Umtiti's signing and has a good relationship with the his entourage. However, the final figure doesn't depend on Umtiti, which is the main argument to convince Umtiti.
