Barça to pay Umtiti's wages in order to send him on loan to Lecce

Barcelona and Lecce are close to agreeing a deal for French defender Samuel Umtiti to join newly promoted Serie A side Lecce on a season-long loan, without buyout clause, in a deal that could be completed within the next week.

The Italian media are reporting on Saturday that the Italian side and Barcelona have agreed a quick deal. The French centre-back is not part of Xavi Hernandez's plans and the player is looking for a destination where he can play regularly.

Umtiti's high salary was one of the difficulties in closing the deal but, according to local media, and confirmed by others such as 'COPE' and 'Relevo', Barcelona will pay the player's full salary, although he will receive bonuses depending on the number of games the 2018 World Cup winner plays.

For Lecce, who came close to stun last weekend against Inter, he could be a great reinforcement at the back, if the injuries that the Frenchman has been carrying since 2018 respect his fitness.

Umtiti is expected to arrive in Italy early next week to finalise the deal and to start working under Italian Lecce coach Marco Baroni.