Mercato OL: Umtiti wants to play again with Lacazette

World Champion with Les Bleus in 2018, Samuel Umtiti has followed in the wake of his world title four years of hardship between injuries and low playing time. Left to relaunch himself in Lecce last summer, "Big Sam" has found sensations and the pleasure of playing soccer again, as he explained to Canal Football Club in a poignant interview to be found in video below.

While he is under contract with Barcelona until 2026 and has regained some credibility following his 23 appearances in Serie A, Samuel Umtiti also spoke about his future to Canal: "I am still under contract with Barcelona until 2026, but it's true that I really need to feel appreciated, respected and I feel good in Italy. I love the language, the food, the style..." he said.

"Everyone thought I was dead"

A few days ago, the Catalan daily Sport revealed that Lecce hoped to recruit Umtiti this summer for about 4 million euros in case of maintaining their position in Serie A (the club is 16th with 3 points ahead of the first relegation with two games to go). AS Roma and both Milan would also have an eye on him according to the Barcelona media. And Olympique Lyonnais of his great friend Alexandre Lacazette?

"Recently we talked about it, I would really like to play again with him before the end of my career. After that, it's too early to talk about it, but yes for me Lecce is a springboard. Everyone thought I was dead, but I knew that I came here to bounce back and start again," replied Umtiti, open to a return to Lyon. It remains to be seen whether John Textor's new OL will be tempted by the possibility of repatriating Umtiti, knowing that Castello Lukeba (20) plays in the same position and is very efficient.