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Newcastle 'targeting £17m move for Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti with Spanish giants desperate to offload World Cup winner's £220,000-a-week wages' - as Eddie Howe hunts January signings for his relegation-threatened side

Newcastle are reportedly targeting a £17million move for Barcelona's out-of-favour defender Samuel Umtiti.

France international Umtiti, who was part of the squad which won the 2018 World Cup, has struggled with injuries in recent season and was not a regular under Ronald Koeman.

That situation hasn't changed since Xavi's appointment last month and with the LaLiga club keen to offload his £220,000-a-week wages, The Sun report that the 28-year-old could leave next month and the relegation-threatened Magpies have emerged as an option.

Newcastle are reportedly targeting a u00a317million move for Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti
With Barca keen to offload, a move to Eddie Howe's relegation-threatened side is an option

The report adds that Umtiti has long been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp, with Arsenal and Chelsea previously interested.