Lyon 'in talks with Barcelona over Samuel Umtiti move'

Lyon have reportedly opened talks with Barcelona over the possibility of re-signing centre-back Samuel Umtiti.

The Blaugrana are in a deep financial crisis and supposedly cannot register their new arrivals - such as Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero - until they trim their wage bill further.

With Umtiti representing one of the club's big earners who struggled for action last term, he is thought to be one of many players on the Catalans' chopping block as they desperately seek to raise funds.

Arsenal and Manchester United have both been credited with an interest in the centre-back, but according to Sport, the 27-year-old's former club Lyon have now opened talks with Barcelona over a move.

The report adds that Les Gones are prepared to take Umtiti on loan and cover half of his wages, but Barcelona are likely to want the defender off of their books permanently.

The World Cup-winning Frenchman rose through the youth ranks at Lyon and made 170 appearances for the club before leaving for Barca in 2016, but he only started six La Liga games last season.