Arsenal are in the market for a new centre-back this summer.
And one name has shot to the top of the list in recent days and weeks - Samuel Umtiti.
The France international only signed a new contract at Barcelona in June, 2018 - one that is said to include a release clause of a staggering £430 million.
But reports have emerged in Spain that the Catalan giants would be willing to cash in on the 25-year-old, with Ajax centre-back Matthijs de Ligt on the agenda at the Camp Nou.
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And there are some suggestions that Arsenal are already in contact with Barcelona over the centre-back, who is extremely close with Alexandre Lacazette following their time together in Lyon.
Reports claim that the La Liga leaders would be looking for a fee of around £70m to part company with the World Cup winner.
But football.london understands funds set to be tight for the Gunners this summer and that would make a move for Umtiti difficult.
And while it does not rule it out all together, football.london has also been told that there are major question marks over the defender's fitness - due to an injury to his left knee.
The problem has limited the Frenchmen to just nine league appearances this season and saw him sent to Qatar in December for treatment.
He returned to action in late February and did play both games for France over the international break, but sources in Spain believe the knee issue is one that could be difficult to manage.
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However, the Arsenal supporters remain excited by the reports that Unai Emery might be interested in signing him this summer.
And some have even dug up a video from 2013 as another reason for Arsenal to sign the centre-back.
Umtiti was playing for Lyon at the time and came up against Arsenal's arch rivals Tottenham in the Europa League.
And while Lyon ultimately went out of the competition at the hands of the Lilywhites, Umtiti did have quite the impact on the match, scoring a half-volley, left-footed screamer at White Hart Lane.
The Gunners fans were left salivating over the strike on Twitter, suggesting that the 25-year-old is perfect for Arsenal.
Meanwhile the most recent comment on the YouTube video of the Frenchman's Europa League strike is from Arsenal supporter Udo7_ who said: "Come do that again for arsenalll (sic)."
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