Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has laughed off reports that Arsenal tried to sign him over the summer despite Alexandre Lacazette making a plea for the centre-back to join.
Gunners boss Unai Emery was eager to strengthen his defence during the transfer window and eventually brought in David Luiz from Chelsea in an £8million deal on deadline day.
Arsenal had been linked with a move for Umtiti – among a number of other top centre-backs – but the France international says, to his knowledge, there was never anything of substance to the rumours.
In a sit-down interview with Canal Football Club on Sunday, Umtiti was shown a clip of old Lyon teammate Lacazette trying to set up a reunion at Arsenal, but only burst out laughing.
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Honestly, I dont know where this rumour with Arsenal came from, he said in response to the video.
Overnight, I received messages from my friends saying, “Ah, so you are joining Arsenal?” Im not, Im sorry but Im staying at Barcelona.
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Probed further on whether there had been contact with Arsenal, Umtiti continued: To be honest, I dont know if they had conversations with my agent, I just told him that I didnt care what was happening this summer and that it wasnt even necessary to talk to me about it.
It was useless, I was going to have the same answer. My dream as a child is to play for Barcelona. Last season was the most difficult of my career, especially in terms of injuries.
Alors @samumtiti ? @LacazetteAlex is waiting picRead More – Source