Manchester City Move For Defender: Umtiti or Martinez
The winter transfer window opened a few days ago, and the speculation has begun. It is no surprise to see Manchester City linked with a Center Back considering the injuries at the back to our preseason, first choice pairing. Jonny Evans had been targeted in the summer, but it seems now he has slipped down Pep Guardiola’s wish list.
The two names remaining are the French International Samuel Umtiti and the Spanish International, Iñigo Martínez. Both are much younger than Evans and both would probably be more welcome to the Etihad than the ex United defender.
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Umtiti, currently at Barcelona, is an interesting prospect. Aged only 24 he certainly is a few years away the traditional peak years for his position. He also has a release clause in his contract, which we are led to believe is around £54 million. Certainly do-able from the City perspective the question is would he be willing to be part of a squad rotational system.
Talk is that Barcelona wants to tie up their player to a new deal, which will certainly up the asking, and release price. Umtiti was also injured in December and was ruled out for 8 weeks. His right hamstring means he may not figure again until February, whether it’s still for Barcelona or in the sky blue of City.
A better all around option for City would be Martinez. Two years older than Umtiti the Real Sociadad player also has a release clause in his contract. That figure is a much more agreeable £28.5 million. That would allow Pep to meet Arsenals £35 million for Alexis Sanchez, without going too crazy.
Having spent his entire senior career with Sociadad, he would certainly be more agreeable to a rotation spot in a side in the Champions League. That’s another thing to consider, Martinez has been involved in the Europa League this season, and will not be cup tied for City’s Champions League campaign. Umtiti, on the other hand, played in five of Barcelona’s six Champions League Group stage games.