Arsenal, West Ham and Everton ‘involved in three-way tussle for Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti’

Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti is wanted by Arsenal, West Ham and Everton, according to reports.

The LaLiga side, who want to reduce their wage bill ahead of next season, are keen to send the 26-year-old out on loan with potential suitors having the option to buy at the end of the campaign.

El Mundo Deportivo report that a loan move is the most likely option with Arsenal, West Ham and Everton all interested. Manchester United and Chelsea have previously been linked with the centre back.

Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti is reportedly wanted by Arsenal, West Ham and Everton

French clubs Marseille, Lyon and Rennes are also reportedly keeping tabs on the situation.  

But Umtiti wants to stay and fight for his place at the Nou Camp, despite dropping down the pecking order.

Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique are the first choice centre-backs and Lenglet has also taken Umtiti’s place in the French national side.

France centre back Clement Lenglet (right) is preferred to Umtiti at club and international level

Ronald Araujo has also been promoted to the first team meaning there is even more competition in the Catalan’s defence.

With just 13 league appearances for Barca this season, Umtiti may have to take up the option of a loan move if he wants to force his way back into the France team.

However, a knee injury kept him out of the club’s last five league games of the season which could interfere with a possible move. 

Barca have reportedly put almost half of their squad up for sale with ‘offers invited’ on 12 players including Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho.

Umtiti is one of the 12 players on the list, compiled by Marca, along with Ivan Rakitic, Neto, Nelson Semedo, Junior Firpo, Arturo Vidal, Martin Braithwaite, Carles Alena, Rafinha Alcantara and Jean-Clair Todibo

The 26-year-old is one of 12 players the Catalans are reportedly looking to offload this summer