Chelsea have been linked with a summer swoop for Samuel Umtiti and Barcelona are now preparing for the eventuality that the France international does leave the Nou Camp this summer.
Barcelona still hope they can agree a new long-term contract with Umtiti as his current deal possesses a £53m release clause which the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are considering activating when the transfer window opens, but they are readying contingency plans if they can’t.
Reports suggest that the La Liga leaders have singled out two players as potential replacements for Umtiti if a club convinces him to leave: Toulouse standout Issa Diop and Schalke youngster Thilo Kehrer.
Diop is a France U21 international and has impressed in Ligue 1 this season for Toulouse, while Germany U21 captain Kehrer has established himself as a regular for Schalke this season.
Umtiti is happy to pen an extension with Barcelona but is looking for £140,000-a-week in order to so, wage demands that both Chelsea and Manchester United could be able to meet.
