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Transfer Talk: Man United ahead of Arsenal for Barca defender Umtiti

The winter transfer window is closed, but now it’s time to look ahead to the summer! Here are the new rumours floating around Europe’s big leagues and beyond.

Manchester United favourites to land Barcelona’s Umtiti

Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United are set to battle for the signature of Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti, with the Red Devils favourites to sign the defender.

That’s according to Sport, who report that the Catalan side are keen to offload the defender who has struggled for regular playing time this season, while United are in the market for a new centre-back, particularly with Chris Smalling‘s future still unclear. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have been linked with Kalidou Koulibaly for some time, but ex-Lyon man Umtiti — who joined Barca for roughly €30 million in 2016 — would likely prove to be a cheaper alternative with Quique Setien said to be willing to sanction Umtiti’s departure to raise funds.

United are expected to face competition from the Gunners who are heading into their first summer under Mikel Arteta, but the London-based club already have signed teenager William Saliba from Saint-Etienne ahead of his first season at the Emirates.

Dembele out as Barca eye five new additions

Sticking with Barca, the La Liga leaders have finally run out of patience with winger Ousmane Dembele set to be made available for transfer, AS reports

The forward joined Barca from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £135.5m, but has been plagued by injuries and as such has been unable to repay the side’s substantial investment during his time at Camp Nou.

Dembele, 22, has made just nine appearances in all competitions this season and that has caused frustrations amongst the Barca hierarchy, with the player still facing an additional six months on the sidelines.

While AS says Dembele’s time at the club is coming to an end, fellow publication Marca says that Barca are eyeing five new faces. Neymar, Lautaro Martinez and Timo Werner are all options, while the club could also opt to bring new full-backs on both sides as well as a central midfielder, depending on the future of Carlos Alena.

Real Madrid eye Rennes youngster as Casemiro cover 

Amidst seemingly endless transfer speculation dominated by the likes of Paul Pogba, Harry Kane and Neymar, Real Madrid are said to be turning their attention to youth as the club look to secure some much-needed depth at the heart of midfield.

The 28-year-old Casemiro has already made 35 appearances for Los Blancos this season and Spanish publication Marca reports that the Spanish giants are keen to add some vital cover with boss Zinedine Zidane seemingly mindful that the Brazilian may burn out.

Zidane has already tried Federico Valverde and Toni Kroos in a more defensive role, but both have struggled to adapt and now the Real boss has said to be considering a swoop for Rennes’ 17-year-old sensation Eduardo Camavinga.

The youngster has already played 33 times for the Ligue 1 club this season, scoring once, and arguably has the potential to succeed Casemiro in the coming years.

Tap-ins

– The coronavirus pandemic could cause chaos for a whole host of players whose contracts are set to expire at the end of the season, according to the Athletic. That includes Liverpool’s Adam Lallana who may be offered fresh terms that would cover any extension to current campaign, while the Star reports that Chelsea may be forced to wait on the arrival of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax, who could essentially be cup-tied and unable to play for either side until a conclusion is reached.

– Napoli are keen on signing Getafe’s versatile left-sided player Marc Cucurella as a replacement for full-back Faouzi Ghoulam who is expected to depart at the end of the season, despite the fact that Getafe have only just exercised their permanent option on Cucurella. According to Marca, Cucurella has a €25m buyout clause in his contract that could net Barca €10m upon the completion of any deal as a result of the club inserting a 40% sell-on fee.

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