Word stemming from the Spanish media on Monday evening has hinted at Spanish giants Barcelona taking extreme measures, on the back of Samuel Umtiti’s latest injury.
Blaugrana struggling
Barca, of course, are currently in the midst of an altogether difficult week.
After allowing all three points to slip through their fingers in a La Liga meeting with Granada last weekend, Xavi and co. saw their silverware hopes for the campaign dealt a further blow on Wednesday night.
The Blaugrana made the trip to Saudi Arabia, for a highly-anticipated Spanish Super Cup showdown with Clasico rivals Real Madrid.
When all was said and done, though, goals on the part of both Luuk de Jong and Ansu Fati proved little more than consolation, as Real marched onto the Super Cup finale, courtesy of a 3-2 triumph.
Umtiti latest
Barca, in turn, will turn their attentions towards yet another competition this coming Thursday, when they make the daunting trip to San Mames for a Copa del Rey Last-16 showdown with Athletic Club.
As alluded to above, though, amid their preparations for the clash, Xavi’s troops have, on Monday, been dealt yet another blow.
This comes in the form of confirmation that defender Samuel Umtiti has suffered a broken bone in his foot, and will therefore be forced to go under the knife to amend the problem:
MEDICAL ANNOUNCEMENT ❗
The first team player Samuel Umtiti took a blow to his right foot in training on Monday and has fractured his fifth metatarsal bone. The player will undergo surgery on Tuesday.
? https://t.co/hsaTkBOlk7 pic.twitter.com/snvt64Zksq
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 17, 2022
Umtiti, owing to his latest fitness blow, is expected to be sidelined for around three months.
If word stemming from the Spanish media late on Monday evening is anything to go by, though, then the Blaugrana faithful, in fact, may not see the Frenchman pull on the club’s colours once more until next season.
This comes amid claims on the part of Mundo Deportivo that the board at the Camp Nou could now cancel Umiti’s licence for the remainder of 2021/22.
Such an option is available to the Catalans at present owing to the January transfer window.
Taking such a route would also open the door for Barca to add a fresh body to their senior La Liga panel for the 2nd-half of the season, whilst simultaneously creating space on their UEFA squad list for the Europa League, too.
It now remains to be seen whether Xavi and co. will ultimately decide to unregister Umtiti, or stand by the out-of-favour defender through the summer and beyond.
❗️ El Barça podría legalmente dar de baja la licencia de Umtiti
? Si considera que no va a poder utilizarlo apenas al apuntar a tres meses de baja ya no podría jugar con el Barcelona hasta la próxima temporada
✍️ @RamonFuentes74 https://t.co/dHdIN66kWb
— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) January 17, 2022
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