FC Barcelona not wishing to keep him, Samuel Umtiti finds himself on the transfer market. On the side of Olympique Lyonnais, the defender can count on strong support.
It’s a rumor launched by Sport, the Barcelona sports daily, Olympique Lyonnais could bring Samuel Umtiti back during this 2023 transfer window. For that, John Textor will only have to sign a check for less than 5 million euros , and Joan Laporta will validate the sale of the 2018 world champion. Barça no longer counts on the French defender, on loan this season to Lecce. A club he helped keep in Serie A. However, many are wondering if the return of Samuel Umtiti is really a wise idea, at a time when the era of OL DNA seems to have to be forgotten. While Jean-Michel Aulas would probably have done everything to sign Umtiti, this is certainly no longer a top priority for John Textor’s Olympique Lyonnais. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old has strong supporters in the dressing room. And they could ultimately prevail.
Umiti back in Lyon?
Just 10 years ago @samumtiti celebrated the #Valentine’s Day with an absolutely memorable skylight half-volley 🙌😘
̂ ̀ ‘ ❤💙 pic.twitter.com/yMxDiKOghS
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) February 14, 2023
As Le Progrès reminds us, Alexandre Lacazette has never hidden the fact that he would be very happy to see his old friend Samuel Umtiti return to OL. Leaving in 2016 from Lyon for Barça, the defender convinced the second top scorer in Ligue 1 that he was physically ready to withstand the shock, he who was unfortunately often injured after the World Cup in Russia. But Lacazette is not the only one to think that bringing Umiti back would be a good idea. Indeed, the regional daily explains that “ Laurent Blanc, who is looking to inject experience into his team this season, would be in favor of it “. That’s not to say the coach will prevail, but at least the message got through to John Textor. For a few million euros, Olympique Lyonnais can afford a world-class defender, but other clubs are also smelling a good deal. Nothing is won one way or the other.
