The Lyon is working on the possible return of French defender Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona

The Lyon is working on the possible return of the French defender Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona, which could materialize as a loan before the end of the market, on October 5, and has established contacts with the central defender's environment, according to 'L'Équipe'.

The sports newspaper affirms that the direction of Lyon has taken into account the coach's will, Rudi Garcia, to acquire the services of Umtiti (26 years old), who has a contract with Barza until 2023.

The French team has contacted the player's environment to gauge the interest he could have in returning to wear the shirt of the team with which he started his professional career and defended for six seasons until he went to the Spanish championship.

However, the operation presents a number of complications, starting with the player's own physical condition, who has had recurring discomfort in a knee, and the brake that the high salary he currently has in the Catalan club represents.

Having to assume such a high remuneration has been one of the reasons that have blocked Lyon so far.

On the Barcelona side, the fate of Samuel Umtiti could be linked to the will of the Blaugrana management to sign the Dutchman Memphis Depay.

Recently, Barcelona had explained that they did not have enough money to sign him. But according to 'L'Équipe', things could change with the income obtained from Nelson Semedo's departure to Wolverhampton and the salary reduction that came with Luis Suarez's move to Atlético Madrid.

For Lyon, Umtiti could provide one of the things they lack, leadership. For the left defender, it would be an opportunity to relaunch his career and thus open the possibility of a new phase as an international with the "bleus". EFE