- Samuel Umtiti to Manchester City could be on the cards
- The Barcelona defender wants time to mull the transfer over
- Manchester United have also been linked with the Frenchman
- READ MORE: £95m Man Utd target responds to transfer speculation over his future
Manchester City have opened talks over the transfer of Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti, who has asked for time to consider a move to the Etihad Stadium.
Don Balon have previously also linked Manchester United with the France international, who has shone as one of the top centre-backs in Europe since moving to the Nou Camp last season.
City could certainly benefit from improving in that position due to the injury problems suffered by the likes of John Stones and Vincent Kompany this season, and it seems they’ve made their move for Umtiti.
According to L’Equipe, City have presented their project to Umtiti and the player wants time to think about the prospect of moving.
MORE: Manchester United transfer news
The report adds that City are prepared to pay the 24-year-old’s €60million release clause, which looks a bargain considering what Liverpool just paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk.
This could be a blow to United, however, with Jose Mourinho’s side also looking in need of some strengthening at the back after an unconvincing first half of the season.
The Red Devils are 15 points behind City in the title race and could do with upgrades on the likes of Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling, while Eric Bailly has had his problems with injury in his time at Old Trafford.