Juninho discusses the possibility of signing Umtiti

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

The defender would have to take a pay cut

Lyon sporting director Juninho has been talking about the possibility of signing Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona and has admitted his wages make a move impossible currently.

The Brazilian actually spoke at some length about the difficulty his side has trying to bring in stars from bigger clubs on huge wages and hinted that there may be a solution if players were willing to compromise.

“This [Umtiti] is not our level of contract. Most of these players… In January, I called Alexandre Lacazette to chat a bit with him because he was having a bit of trouble with Arsenal and I said: ‘Why not a six-month loan with us where you’re going to have a blast?, play all the matches and score goals like you can? And then you go back to Arsenal or elsewhere.

“But as long as you look at the contract level of these players, like at Juventus or Barça, it’s not for us today. Today we have to tell the truth, we cannot pay the salary of an Umtiti. But if the player is looking for a project, if he makes an effort with perhaps a longer contract, if he wants to go home, and then I will look for him right away.”

Source | RMC Sport

It seems increasingly clear that Umtiti is not part of Ronald Koeman’s plans for next season, and the club would love to get his salary off the wage bill. However, his continued injury problems make a move difficult and it’s not clear if he will depart this summer.

Source: barcablaugranes.com