Unai Emery is keen to bolster his defensive options ahead of next season and has identified Umtiti as his principal target. The Italian publication report that Gunners director of football Raul Sanllehi has been in contact with his Barcelona counterpart, Eric Abidal, in a bid to steal a march on other interested parties. Umtiti would not come cheap, though, with the France international tied down to a five-year contract which he only signed last summer. The World Cup winner’s deal contains a 500m release clause, although Barcelona would consider selling him for less as they look to free up space in their wage bill to land Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax. Umtiti has endured a frustrating...
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