Arsenal and Manchester United have been handed a transfer boost with the news that Barcelona have reportedly cut their asking price for Samuel Umtiti from £50m to £25m.
The 26-year-old defender has made just nine La Liga starts this season and it appears the Catalan giants are willing to let him leave in the near future.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak Barcelona were looking for a transfer fee of at least £50m for the centre-back, but they are now aware that they will have to lower their expectations if they are to be able to sell Umtiti, with the club desperate to raise fees for moves in the future.
And according to Barcelona-based publication Sport both Arsenal and United are battling Inter Milan for the player.
Inter are keen on securing a long-term replacement for Diego Godin, who, at the age of 34, is nearing the end of his career, and they have identified Umtiti as a possible candidate.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, is known to be keen to add to his back-line, and United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also wants further strength in depth in defence.
Umtiti is thought to be open to the idea of a move to the Premier League, and the fact that he would be able to link up with international teammates such as Alexandre Lacazette at Arsenal or Paul Pogba at United may also play a part in his thinking.
Umtiti joined Barcelona from Lyon in 2016 and he has enjoyed a hugely successful time at the club, having helped the team win two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and two Supercopas.
The partnership of Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet has generally been preferred by Barca manager Quique Setien this season, however, and he appears willing to let Umtiti move on.
