Transfer Centre

Napoli pull out of race for Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 27 April 2020

Napoli reportedly pull out of the race to sign Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti over financial concerns arising from the coronavirus outbreak.

Napoli have reportedly been priced out of the race to sign Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti.

Having chalked up just nine La Liga starts under Quique Setien this season, Umtiti has been persistently linked with a move away from Camp Nou.

Arsenal are believed to be interested in the France international, and their pursuit of the defender could be boosted by reports that Napoli are resigned to losing out in the race for Umtiti's signature.

According to Sport, the Italian outfit have conceded that they will be unable to afford Barcelona's £45m asking price in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and it remains to be seen whether or not Arsenal will be able to fork out the same amount of money.

Napoli had allegedly identified Umtiti as a potential replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, with Manchester United and Newcastle United rumoured to be interested in the Senegal international.

Umtiti's contract at Barcelona will run until the end of the 2022-23 season, and the 26-year-old has amassed two goals from 114 games in all competitions for the Catalan giants.