The Barcelona defender signed a new contract with the club on Sunday.
The contract extension of Barcelona youngster Samuel Umtiti has a release clause of €500m, says club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
The 24-year old youngster signed a new deal with Barcelona on Sunday, thus putting an end to transfer speculations surrounding his future. The defender was heavily linked with Premier League clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United.
Umtiti has extended his contract until 2023. His previous buy-out clause was at a mere €50m, which made him an easy target for clubs across Europe. This led to Barcelona acting swiftly in working out the new deal for the French defender.
“We think that, with this clause, nobody will think of coming here to try to take him away,” Bartomeu said as Umtiti signed the new contract.
Umtiti insisted that he wanted to stay at Barcelona. “I’m nervous today because this is a dream that continues. From the first day, I’ve felt at home here, and now I want to stay for a long time,” said the youngster.
Umtiti has formed a formidable partnership with Gerard Pique at the back, and the pair enjoyed much success together. The defender played a key role in Barcelona’s title campaign this season, where they lost only one game. Barca conceded only 29 goals in the La Liga this season.
The defender is a part of the 23-member squad for France as they aim for World Cup glory in Russia this summer.
Earlier, he expressed his desire to play at Barcelona in the midst of transfer speculations linking him to Premier League clubs. “It is clear that I want to renew my contract at Barcelona and I hope to be with the team next season,” said Umtiti while talking to French newspaper L’Equipe.
“I’m at a club that allowed me to realise my dream of playing there,” the defender added.
