Lyon confirm agreement with Barcelona for Umtiti

Reading time: minutes

Samuel Umtiti has reached an agreement to join Barcelona. BeSoccer

The French club's president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that the 22-year-old is set to join the Spanish champions

Samuel Umtiti has reached an agreement to join Barcelona, Lyon’s president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed.

The Catalan giants are looking to bring in defensive reinforcements this summer, and have identified the 22-year-old as a top transfer target along with PSG's Marquinhos.

Reports of a €30 million agreement have now been confirmed by Aulas, who does not intend on preventing the defender from leaving.

“We anticipate the eventual departure of Umtiti. Samuel has an exclusive agreement for him to join Barcelona,” Aulas told RMC Sport.

“We made a promise that if he could play for the club of his heart, he would leave. It’s part of the commitment which we have made, as was done for Karim Benzema when he went to Real Madrid.

“Right now, Samuel is with Les Bleus and is focussed on the Euro and the fact that he can play Sunday against Iceland. If the three parties agree, it is possible that he will leave us.”