Barcelona defender to reject Arsenal for Chelsea move?

Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti is reportedly said to favour a move to Chelsea over Arsenal when the transfer window reopens during the summer.

The centre-back has fallen down the pecking order at the Camp Nou due to his recent injuries and he is currently the third-choice centre-back behind Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet.

According to Sport, the defender is not looking at the prospect of leaving the Blaugrana but he could consider the option, suppose the club seek to recruit a new centre-back for next season.

The same publication claims that both Chelsea and Arsenal have enquired regarding the player's availability but the former are leading the race to sign the ex-Lyon graduate.

Umtiti has more than three years remaining on his current deal with the Spanish champions. The Blaugrana are eyeing a package of around £45m for his sale and are reluctant to accept anything less.

The 2018 World Cup winner has made 114 appearances for the club since his move from Lyon in 2016. He has been restricted to just nine starts in the Spanish La Liga this term.