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Samuel Umtiti has revealed that he had talks with Lyon during the transfer window, but did not want to leave Barcelona on bad terms.
After a promising start at the club following his move from Lyon in 2016, where he had spent the previous 14 years, Umtiti has struggled for his form and fitness, particularly since the start of 2018-19.
He has played 77 games in LaLiga with the Catalan giants and has a high range of interceptions since 2016-17 began, with an average of 1.73 per game, only behind Jordi Alba (2.09) among those who still they are in the club.
A return to Lyon was at stake during the closed season, but Umtiti prefers to turn things around at the Camp Nou first.
“Everything was possible during the transfer window,” he told Canal +. “Lyon is my club and my city. They gave me the opportunity to be seen.
“There were discussions, but it was quick, nothing concrete. I had to be able to talk to a club. I’ll be honest: Barcelona is Barcelona.
“I don’t want to leave Barcelona and even less like that.”
Umtiti has been plagued by persistent knee problems for the past two seasons and has yet to appear under new Barça boss Ronald Koeman.
However, the 26-year-old is hopeful that his injury issues are now a thing of the past after a lifestyle change.
“The last two years have been the most difficult of my career,” he said. “Sometimes I got really tired. Each time I relapsed, and with different injuries because I was trying to compensate.
“It was not a knee problem, it was that he had a total imbalance. He had to start over. I stopped eating meat, fish and milk. I feel better, I sleep better. I have never felt so good physically.
“My body has also changed. I have lost ten pounds. I have recovered. I have never worked so hard. And I am happy about it.”
Umtiti now intends to rival French compatriot Clement Lenglet for a regular spot alongside Gerard Piqué at the heart of Barca’s bottom line.
“I occupy my position in Barcelona and in the French national team,” he said. “It doesn’t bother me at all. On the contrary, I encourage him and there is a very good understanding between us.
“We could play together. But I think he knows: when I come back, I will do anything to go back to my place and play. But there is no jealousy between us.”
Umtiti is not the only French player struggling to make an impact in Catalonia, with Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele also facing regular criticism.
“We’ve all been through tough times,” said the defender. “Everybody puts knives behind their backs and wants to kill us. But between us, we try to laugh to smile again.”
