The Barcelona believes in Samuel Umtiti and Samuel Umtiti is happy in Barcelona. The relationship, excellent in both ways, caused when his name was linked to Manchester City from Camp Nou, they hastened to strengthen their bond with the French player and now those intentions, revealed to ESPN a source close to the club, are close to giving way to his renewal.
Umtiti, under contract until June 2021, has a release clause of 60 million euros which is considered nothing less than an invitation to clubs looking for a future center back. "If Liverpool paid a record for Van Dijk, it is clear that Umtiti's price is very affordable," explained a well-known representative who, remaining anonymous, ventured that kind words "are very good, but Barcelona will have to significantly improve the salary" of the Frenchman in this upcoming renewal.
Roberto Fernández, directly responsible for his signing to Olympique de Lyon in the summer of 2016, maintains an excellent relationship with Umtiti and with his brother, who acts as his agent and to whom he has already informed about the willingness of the Barcelona club to start negotiations for a new contract. From the player's surroundings, as was revealed at the beginning of this year, it has been made clear again that there is no rush and that there is a desire to finish the season before starting to discuss an improvement.
Barcelona is also currently immersed in negotiations to renew Sergi Roberto's contract, pending since November 2017, and despite the difficulties it has presented, there is confidence in reaching an agreement in the not too distant future. Then, before the end of the season, the idea is to extend the club's relationship with Gerard Piqué, and from there the moment would come to make an offer to Umtiti.
Extending his contract until 2024 and doubling a salary that currently stands at around 4 million euros, in addition to adjusting the release clause and setting it above 200 million, is the idea that Barcelona is considering and plans to present to him in the not too distant future for him and his trusted advisors to evaluate.
What is beyond doubt is that there will not be a future of Barcelona without Samuel Umtiti.