Liverpool’s £75 million signing of Virgil van Dijk has caused a major scare in the transfer market, and Barcelona are scared that they might become victims as well.
According to Daily Mail the Catalans are worried that Manchester United would trigger the release clause of their star defender Samuel Umtiti.
The French has been the fulcrum of their defence this season, and his form has forced Javier Mascherano to seek a move to China.
The French man 24, has a £50 million release clause written into his current Barcelona deal, a sum that looked very huge at the time of its signing.
However, with van Dijk’s move to Liverpool, the Catalans are now fearing for his future.
Manchester United are looking for a new centre back after seeing Eric Baily injure his hamstring, and the form of new Swedish import Victor Lindelof hasn’t been consistent.
Manchester City could also prise Umtiti away after losing out to Liverpool for the signature of van Dijk.
The Cityzens are also looking at West Brom’s Johnny Evans and Inigo Martinez of Real Sociedad.
Barcelona could consider handing Umtiti a new deal primarily to increase his current release clause.
