Barcelona and France centre-back Samuel Umtiti has poured cold water over the prospects of him one day sealing a move to the Emirates Stadium to join Arsenal.
Prior to landing Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Ligue 1 outfit Lille back in August, the Gunners were heavily linked with Umtiti, as Mikel Arteta, the Gunners head coach, looked to strengthen the centre of his defence.
Through the summer window Barcelona were reportedly going to have to launch a mass sale of some of their big-name stars in order to recoup some of the money lost because of the financial impact brought about by the coronavirus crisis.
However, Arsenal never pursued a concrete search for the defender and he remained at the Nou Camp, as the La Liga giants entered a new chapter under the leadership of former Everton and Southampton manager Ronald Koeman.
Now, though, Umtiti has revealed that he was in discussions with French outfit Lyon about the prospect of returning to the French club, as they were the club he started his senior career with after rising through the youth ranks at the Groupama Stadium.
Despite admitting that talks took place, he insists nothing was ever concrete, as well as admitting that he cannot see himself ever playing for another club but Barcelona.
“Lyon is my team, it is my city. It is the team that has given me the opportunity to play in Europe, in Barcelona and with the national team," he said, as quoted by Canal Football Club.
"There were talks with them during the transfer market, but there was never anything concrete.
"I don’t see myself in a club other than Barcelona. I have been clear with everyone on this issue.”
Umtiti was not the only Barcelona player that Arsenal were closely linked with during the summer, with attacking-midfield ace Philippe Coutinho also having been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League.
Like Umtiti, though, he has stayed at the Nou Camp as he looks to get his Barcelona career back on track after spending last term on loan at German giants Bayern Munich.
