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Topics: Premier League, Barcelona, La Liga, Samuel Umtiti, Manchester City
Ryan Sidle
Topics: Premier League, Barcelona, La Liga, Samuel Umtiti, Manchester City
Samuel Umtiti has signed a new contract at Barcelona, after months of the club trying to get rid of him, so the club can register Ferran Torres.
Barca have been so desperate to reduce their wages all season, as their financial problems have caused havoc with their entire squad.
In the summer, Gerard Pique had to reduce his wages in order for the summer signings, such as Memphis Depay, to be registered for La Liga.
Centre back Umtiti was one of the players the club wanted to get rid of, with Ronald Koeman even accused of purposely getting him booed by having him warm up on the sidelines.
However, after all that, the France defender has now signed a new deal at the Nou Camp, signing on until 2026, reducing his wages for the next 18 months.
The move, partnered with the fact that Philippe Coutinho has joined Aston Villa for the rest of the season on loan, means that new signing Ferran Torres can be registered.
Torres signed for Barca at the beginning of the month, but the former Manchester City forward wasn't able to register due to the wage cap.
In a statement on their website, Barca confirmed the news, saying, "FC Barcelona and first team player Samuel Umtiti have reached an agreement to extend the latter’s contract until 30 June 2026.
"The French defender is reducing a part of the salary that he was due to receive in the year and a half remaining on his contract.
"This contract extension operation does not entail any greater financial commitments for FC Barcelona with regard to the player.
"FC Barcelona wishes to publicly express its gratitude to Samuel Umtiti for his willingness and the affection that he has demonstrated towards the club.
"Through this contract extension, FC Barcelona will be able to increase its ‘financial fair play’ quota and thus register Ferran Torres with the Spanish Professional Football League."
Umtiti's value had previously plummeted from £63 million to £1.8 million, due the fact that he wasn't playing for Xavi's team at all.
Whether this new contract means he'll finally get some game time or not remains to be seen.