Barcelona set to sign Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti as Marc Bartra's replacement

Barcelona are reportedly set to sign Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti for €20m (£15.6m, £22.7m). The 22-year-old Frenchman can play either as a centre-back or as a left-back, and is seen as an ideal replacement for the recently-departed Marc Bartra, who signed for Borussia Dortmund.

The Catalan club have been considering various defensive options in recent months, but have decided to sign Umtiti on account of his strength and versatility, as well as his ability to pass the ball from defence, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has asked the club to conclude the deal quickly, having decided that Everton's John Stones and Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain are both too expensive. Umtiti, on the other hand, fits within Barcelona's budget for the summer transfer window.

The France under-21 international has been scouted by Robert Fernandez, Barcelona's technical secretary, and he concluded that the player matches Enrique's desired profile. The deal could be tied up over the next week, with Barcelona keen to conclude the move as soon as possible.