Injury issue means Umtiti unlikely to leave Barcelona in January

Monday morning's training session saw Samuel Umtiti pick up an injury, as was reported by Barcelona's medical team during the afternoon, and with it anticipated that the Frenchman will require surgery, this leaves him now unlikely to depart the Camp Nou in January.

Having signed a contract extension with an adjusted salary in order for the club to register new signing, Ferran Torres, the mood towards Umtiti from fans has softened of late, although it was still expected that the Blaugrana would try and forcibly sell him in the winter window.

Umtiti's surgery will take place on Tuesday, and it will be performed by Dr. Antoni Dalmau, and it is thought that the defender will then be set for a two-to-three-month spell on the sidelines.

Xavi's alternatives

From a technical standpoint, this leaves Xavi Hernandez with fewer options at centre-half, especially with Eric Garcia still out injured for what is likely to be another month.

Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo, Oscar Mingueza and Clement Lenglet mean that it is one of the more well-stocked positions in the Barcelona squad, hence why Umtiti has barely featured.