According to Sport, Barcelona have joined Newcastle United in the race to sign Lyon’s Samuel Umtiti; whilst The Metro report Chelsea have approached PSG regarding the potential transfer of Blaise Matuidi.
The promising 22-year-old can operate as a left-back or a centre-half and has been in good form this season, averaging 1.2 tackles, 2.5 interceptions, 2.8 successful aerial duels and 4.9 clearances per match, helping Lyon claim the second-best goals conceded record in the French division’s top seven.
The Magpies were linked with the £10million-rated centre-back, who looks set to leave Ligue 1 during the summer transfer window, by The Chronicle last week. But the latest reports from Sport suggest Newcastle could soon be eclipsed in their pursuit of the former France U21 by Barcelona, with the European champions also reportedly keen on his services.
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Technical defender Robert Fernandez watched Umtiti in action during a 2-1 win over PSG on Sunday and the Catalans are known to be in the market for a left-sided centre-back, with Jeremy Mathieu potentially leaving the club during the summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, The Metro – who cite reports from Le10Sport – claim Chelsea have approached PSG regarding a potential swoop for industrious midfielder Blaise Matuidi – who they were linked with last month.
Incoming manager Antonio Conte wants to add a dynamic box-to-box to the Blues’ engine room who can provide balance between Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas and according to the French publication, the Parisians star is at the top of his hitlist.
With the France international’s contract set to expire in 2018, the coming transfer window represents a good chance for Chelsea to convince the Ligue 1 champions to sell. But they’ll be loathed to part with a midfielder who has been a bedrock of their starting Xi since signing from St. Etienne in 2011 and is in contention to claim this term’s Player of the Year award.