Arsenal and Man Utd on transfer alert with Samuel Umtiti and Ivan Rakitic set for Barcelona exits with club desperate to raise ￡110m

Posted Saturday, September 21, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

ARSENAL and Manchester United have been put on red alert as Barcelona are looking to sell Samuel Umtiti and Ivan Rakitic, it has been claimed.

The Catalans are reportedly keen to offload the expensive pair in a bid to raise extra transfer funds of around ￡110m.

After announcing a projected eye-watering income of ￡1.3billion for 2019/20, the Spanish giants must cut some playing staff loose to hit the target.

Rakitic, 31, and Umtiti, 25 would both have been allowed to leave in the summer if the Catalan's valuations were met, according to the Mail.

And they would reportedly still be allowed to leave if the money was right.

Croatian Rakitic's deal runs out in 2021 and despite being a key member of the squad over the past few seasons, there is a real sense of impending doom for the midfielder as he appears to be being phased out.

United reportedly held talks over a ￡46m move for Frenchman Umiti in the summer but it failed to materialise.

While Arsenal will be buoyed by the news having been said to be interested in the pair when the transfer window was open.

Barca have previously shown a desire to offload players to balance the books, and their inability to do so was blamed for their failure to land Neymar in the summer.

Barca's CEO Oscar Grau recently said: "The sale of players is another income source for the club."

Barcelona currently sit fifth in La Liga having lost at Bilbao on the opening day.

While Arsenal are seventh and Man Utd are fourth in the Prem.