Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

A move to Barcelona and a Euro 2016 quarterfinal with France - Samuel Umtiti's career-defining week

The Lyon defender has had a week to remember, shoring up a move to Spain and looking set to step in for Les Bleus in their most important match for a generation.

It’s been quite a week for Samuel Umtiti, who is set to make his France debut in the Euro 2016 quarterfinal against Iceland, after the presidents of both Lyon and Barcelona confirmed that a deal had been agreed for the France defender to move to the Camp Nou.

A month ago, he was controversially snubbed by Didier Deschamps, head coach of Les Bleus. Despite being named in an initial squad of 30 for the European Championship, Adil Rami was preferred by the former Juventus boss to replace the injured Raphael Varane in his selection.