Barcelona transfer news: Club complete the signing of Samuel Umtiti in £21.1m deal with Lyon

Barcelona have finally confirmed the long-expected signing of Samuel Umtiti, following the end of France's Euro 2016 campaign. The 22-year-old centre-back has agreed a five-year deal with the Catalan giants, becoming the club's second arrival of the summer following the return of Denis Suarez from Villarreal.

In April, Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino revealed he was monitoring the player with a view to luring him to White Hart Lane.

The Spurs manager said to RMCSport: "Umtiti is one of the players that our recruitment department is following. He has interesting potential."

Mundo Deportivo later claimed that both Arsenal and Chelsea were interested in the defender, but Barcelona beat them all after Luis Enrique identified the player as a priority to bolster his back-line. The club had previously suffered complications with signing other targets like Paris Saint-Germain star Marquinhos and Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed that his team had reached a €25m ( £21.1m, $27.8m) agreement with Lyon for the transfer of the player.

The deal, however, was pending finalisation of personal terms as Umtiti was focused on international duties with France.

Now, following the national team's defeat in the final to Portugal at the weekend, the club have confirmed an agreement. Umtiti signs a five-year contract with a €60m release clause.

"FC Barcelona have signed 22-year-old France international defender Samuel Umtiti from Olympique Lyonnais for the next five seasons," the club confirmed in an official statement.

"FC Barcelona have paid €25m for the player. Umtiti's buy-out clause is €60m."

Barcelona added that the player will travel to the Nou Camp on Thursday to undergo a medical, with his presentation to the media taking place the following day.