Barcelona fend off United interest for Umtiti

The Frenchman's contract at Camp Nou has a £54million release clause, but Barcelona are intending to up the figure to a cool £218million in a bid to put off United interest. 

According to reports from Spain, club hierarchy at the Catalan club are keen to secure Umtiti, and has expressed their desire to finalise negotiations ahead of the World Cup in Russia. 

United have long been linked with a move for the defender, particularly given that his current release clause is wildly under-representative of his value to Barcelona.

Umtiti joined Barcelona back in 2016 from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon in a £21million transfer deal and has become a dependable fixture in the defensive set-up. 

Barca are on course to clinch La Liga at the end of their campaign this year, reclaiming the title from Real Madrid.