3 reasons why Barcelona must not sell Samuel Umtiti

#1 Beyond de Ligt, there are not many other options available to the club

Barcelona's current defense does not inspire confidence

If Samuel Umtiti were to depart Barcelona this summer, it would be imperative that the club signs a top quality center-back to replace him, as the options available at the club right now do not exactly inspire confidence.

Beyond Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet who have proven themselves, there is really no one else in the current squad who can be depended upon fully to take the mantle in Umtiti's stead.

While Pique and Lenglet might be more than capable of holding their own, they would undoubtedly need backup at one point or the other during the grueling campaign to come due to injury or fatigue and it is here that Barcelona's problem's at the heart of the defense is laid bare.

The only other recognized center-backs in the squad are Jean-Claire Todibo (who at just 19 is very much one for the future), while Colombian international Jeison Murillo was brought in on loan from Valencia in January with an option to purchase at the end of the season but seeing as he made just four appearances for Barcelona in mostly dead rubber fixtures, it looks unlikely that the club would trigger its purchasing option.

Looking around Europe, there are not too many world-class center-backs who are available to be bought and an alternative for Barcelona could be to go to the market to sign young players to help augment their defense.

However, a major drawback to this option is that many of the players in that list are relatively untested on the big stages and would not offer the experience and level of composure which Umtiti brings to the table.

Seeing as there are not too many viable options to replace Samuel Umtiti with, it stands to reason that Barcelona should retain him on their books.