Manchester United target Samuel Umtiti in talks with Barcelona over new contract with £220m buy-out clause
Frenchman had been on Jose Mourinho's summer wishlist, but Catalans are making keeping him a top priority this summer
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BARCELONA have made initial contact with Samuel Umiti over a new contract which will include a buy-out clause of £220million, according to reports.
Manchester United had made the Frenchman, 24, a summer transfer target, with Jose Mourinho hoping to persuade the Frenchman by offering him a substantial wage increase.
Moreover, his current buy-out clause is fixed at £52m, which is more than affordable for the Red Devils.
But report Barcelona are moving to ensure he stays at the Nou Camp, by offering him an improved deal.
As well as more than doubling his buy-out clause, some big-name summer departures will allow them to give him a much better salary, without breaking their wage structure.
Andres Iniesta, who is one of the highest earners at Barcelona, is expected to leave for a side in the Chinese Super League.
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Aleix Vidal, Andres Gomes, Denis Suarez and Paco Alcacer will all likely leave in the summer, while Arda Turan, Rafinha and Gerard Deulofeu could make their loan moves permanent.
Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has made initial contact with Umtiti, and the club is hopeful of closing the deal before the start of the World Cup.
The former Lyon ace's cryptic comments while away on international duty led to doubts over where his long-term future lay.
However, he has since move to clarify his stance by declaring his love for the Catalans via social media posts.