FC Barcelona have tied down Samuel Umtiti to a new, long-term contract with the club.
The France international has been outstanding since signing from Lyon in 2016, establishing himself alongside Gerard Pique as a key pillar of Barca's league-winning team, and sealing an extension to his deal had been a priority for the club this summer.
But with Umtiti's release clause set at just north of £50m when he signed for the Spanish giants, the talented defender was suddenly very affordable for a number of Premier League teams.
Manchester United were alerted to his potential availability as Barca negotiated his new deal, with Jose Mourinho intent on remodelling his back four this summer.
The 24-year-old central defender decided against a move, however, and signs on with Barcelona with a view to becoming a part of their spine for years to come.
"I'm very happy and proud to be able to renew with Barcelona. My dream was to be with the best. Since the first day, I've felt at home at the club and I want to stay here," Umtiti told a press conference after extending his deal until 2023.
"My priority was always to renew with Barca. I never saw myself in another team."
"This club has been in my heart since I was a kid, and it is a dream to play here with players like (Lionel) Messi."
With any suitors now required to unload half a billion euros to secure his signature in absence of an agreement with the Nou Camp club, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed that he is confident the defender will be at the club for the long term.
"The buy out clause (of Umtiti) is now 500 million euros," Bartomeu confirmed at the press conference.
