BARCELONA are desperately trying to secure Samuel Umtiti’s future to thwart off Manchester United.
The star has developed a strong partnership with Gerard Pique in the heart of defence this campaign.
But the 24-year-old has a £52million release clause in his Nou Camp contract, and that has alerted Europe’s big boys.
The Red Devils have emerged as one of the frontrunners after Jose Mourinho identified him as one of his top summer targets.
That has led to the La Liga champions attempting to thrash out a new deal with Umtiti.
And Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu admitted he is doing everything possible to keep the centre-back at the Catalan outfit.
Speaking on Umtiti’s future, he told RAC1 radio station: “Umtiti has a contract.
“We are talking with him to renew it.
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“We try to maintain a salary structure that has a certain harmony.
“We will try to reach an agreement because he has had a good season.
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“The important thing is that we work in peace.”
Umtiti has been one of the key members of the Barcelona side that has gone unbeaten throughout the top tier in Spain with just three games remaining.
He joined Barcelona from Lyon in 2016 and has featured 38 times for them this season, scoring once.
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