Confirmed: 22-year-old makes decision after Pochettino declares Tottenham interest
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Confirmed: 22-year-old makes decision after Pochettino declares Tottenham interest

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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By Tom Blackburn

Tottenham have been snubbed after Barcelona completed the signing on Tuesday of defender Samuel Umtiti from Lyon.

Football Insider reported two weeks ago that a deal had been agreed for Umtiti between the French and Spanish clubs.

Barcelona announced the signing of the Euro 2016 defender via their website and social media platforms and revealed the fee is £21million.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino had confirmed that he was monitoring the versatile defender

, but will have to turn his attention elsewhere after missing out on the France centre-back to Barcelona.

Umtiti is regarded as one of the most highly rated young defenders in Europe and was included in France's Euro 2016 squad after replacing Jeremy Mathieu.
He played an important role in the latter stages of the tournament and, after being called up to replace the suspended Adil Rami, the new Barcelona signing kept his spot all the way to the final which they eventually lost 1-0 to Portugal after extra time.

The Cameroon-born star has been a mainstay of the Lyon team that finished second in Ligue 1 last season and is able to play at either left-back or centre-half.

The defender came through Lyon's youth system and starred in 38 encounters for the French club across all competitions during the 2015-16 season, he currently has three-years left on his contract.

In other Tottenham news, their star has hit a new low after he was named in a Euro 2016 flop team.

Tottenham Hotspur
Barcelona
Samuel Umtiti
www.footballinsider247.com