Barcelona Eternally Grateful After Newcastle Target Umtiti Pens ...

Newcastle United’s hopes of landing Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti have ended after the player extending his contract at the Camp Nou.

Umtiti was tipped to leave Catalonia with his contract set to expire in June 2023. But despite just one appearance this season the France international has agreed a new deal until 2026. Barcelona released a statement revealing their “gratitude” to the 28-year-old after accepting a new deal on reduced terms.

Umtiti’s willingness to reduce the terms on his existing 18 months means that Barca can register new signing Ferran Torres.

The statement read: “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.”

The LaLiga giants were thought to be understandably keen to offload Umtiti, who earns around £220,000 per week. The Catalan side are struggling financially and had to borrow from the bank to fund Torres’ transfer.

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Barca paid an initial £46.7m for Manchester City forward Torres with a further £8.5m due in add-ons. But they could not register him immediately due to FFP rules.

It was thought Umtiti would be sold to make room for Torres, but a compromise has been struck.

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Umtiti makes big decision

Mundo Deportivo, via the Daily Express reported that Umtiti had recently accepted to move on. He apparently wanted regular game time in order to try and get into the France squad for the 2022 World Cup.

But that report has been blown away with Umtiti’s new deal.

Whether his playing chances will improve remains to be seen. He did not kick a ball under Ronald Koeman this season and has fared little better under Xavi.

He did get a rare start against Osasuna last month in the 2-2 draw. But immediately returned to the bench the week after and has not been seen since.

READ MORE: Newcastle not ‘discouraged’ as shock relegation rival raid becomes transfer ‘priority’