Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti has confirmed he intends to stay at the Camp Nou this summer.

In what is a blow to Arsenal’s chances of signing the Frenchman, the defender said he wants to carry on playing for the Catalan club despite reports that Barca want to sell him:

“I have a contract, I feel happy in Barcelona. I had a complicated season, but I will still be at Barcelona next season.”

Umtiti has a persistent knee injury which has prevented him from playing regularly. Fellow countryman Clement Lenglet has become Gerard Pique’s regular partner in the heart of the La Liga club’s defence and he faces a battle to get his place back in the side.

Gunners boss Unai Emery has reportedly made Umtiti his top target to improve his centre-back options, but the player has signalled his intention to stay put.

Umtiti’s asking price would likely have been out of Arsenal’s price range anyway, and it’s likely that they’ll focus on other centre-halves such as Saint-Etienne’s William Saliba or RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano.