---
title: "Barcelona eyeing Umtiti replacements amid Chelsea interest"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2018/03/30/barcelona-eyeing-umtiti-replacements-amid-chelsea-interest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2018-03-30T11:45:17Z"
modified: "2018-03-30T11:45:17Z"
---

# Barcelona eyeing Umtiti replacements amid Chelsea interest

Chelsea [have been linked with a summer swoop](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/929711/Chelsea-Samuel-Umtiti-Luis-Enrique-Barcelona-Manchester-United-Transfer-News) 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.

![David Ramos/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/932019524.jpg)

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.