Has Xavi changed his mind about Samuel Umtiti? Like Ronaldo Koeman, his predecessor on the FC Barcelona sidelines, the former midfielder has not counted on the French international defender since his arrival.
It’s simple: since the arrival of the Spanish technician on November 6, Umtiti has only played 90 minutes in all competitions (December 12, against Osasuna).
Three more seasons for a player who does not play
And yet, the club blaugrana announced this Monday the extension of the contract of the 2018 world champion … until 2026! That is three more seasons for the former Lyonnais, whose previous lease ran until June 2023.
A surprising announcement about a player recruited in 2016, convincing at the beginning but put in the closet for months and who lost his status in Catalonia, the fault, in particular, to a painful knee (133 matches only in five seasons and a half ).
So did Umtiti go the extra mile this winter, to the point of changing his coach’s mind? It’s not quite that …
A big salary reduced
In addition to extending, the 28-year-old Frenchman made a big financial effort by significantly lowering the salary he was to receive “over the year and a half” which remained until the expiration of his contract.
A 10% salary reduction is mentioned, which would not be negligible for a player whose emoluments would climb to 20 million euros gross annually, made him one of the best paid elements of the locker room.
And the total salary he was to receive by June 30, 2023 will be “smoothed” until June 30, 2026.
An “effort” that benefits Ferran Torres
All profit for Barça which is still crumbling an abyssal debt of a billion euros, but which thanks to this gesture, “will be able to register Ferran Torres” with the Spanish league in order to make him play.
The Spanish international winger Ferran Torres, who came from Manchester City, signed a contract with FC Barcelona at the end of December for five years until 2027, for an amount of around 55 million euros.
But the financial rules of the Spanish championship, which notably regulate the payrolls of the clubs, did not allow Barça to make him play until then.
If Barça finds its account, what advantage, on the other hand, draws Samuel Umtiti? Until recently, the Catalan media reported an amicable breach of contract between the two parties and even with this extension, the Frenchman will not suddenly regain credit with Xavi, like the ‘advance the daily Sport.
A favorable release clause for Umtiti?
However, it seems that Barça has introduced in this new contract a way out for the former Lyonnais. According to Cadena Ser radio, he would indeed have a release clause allowing him to leave the club … for free next summer.
Enough to save a contract termination for Barça, and the assurance, for an interested club, of having to negotiate only with the player if he is interested.
Ultimately, it was a give and take sleight of hand.