Barcelona could reportedly be forced to keep Samuel Umtiti on their books for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
The World Cup-winning Frenchman has fallen out of favour under Ronald Koeman and has been expected to complete a move away from Camp Nou in the current transfer window.
With Barcelona now in a "very worrying" financial situation having accrued a debt of £1.15bn, according to president Joan Laporta, Umtiti is one of several names that the club are supposedly desperate to offload.
However, Sport claims that Umtiti could end up staying at Barcelona as there is little interest in the 27-year-old, who was initially tipped to return to Lyon.
A report earlier this month suggested that Barca were preparing to terminate Umtiti's contract if a buyer could not be found, but legal issues may prevent the club from taking such drastic action.
Furthermore, Umtiti is thought to be holding out for a move to a Champions League-competing club, with neither Roma or Nice - two potential buyers - dining at Europe's top table.
The centre-back is yet to make an appearance for Barcelona this season and is due to become a free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Ben Knapton
