Hotspur HQ
Fansided

Samuel Umtiti Flattered by Spurs’ Interest But Won’t Join

By Alexander Balano

Lyon's French Cameroonian defender Samuel Umtiti reacts after scoring an equalizer during the French L1 football match Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs Lyon (OL) on September 21, 2014 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images)
Lyon's French Cameroonian defender Samuel Umtiti reacts after scoring an equalizer during the French L1 football match Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs Lyon (OL) on September 21, 2014 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Spurs’ chances of signing promising and talented center-back Samuel Umtiti took a slight hit with him looking to join a La Liga club despite Mauricio Pochettino’s interest.

Recently, Mauricio Pochettino talked to French radio station RMC about different topics in a wide-ranging interview. Some of the topics discussed included his dream job of coaching PSG, targeting Marseille striker, Michy Batshuayi, and Lyon defender, Samuel Umtiti. Basically, the main talking points were football-related subjects.

Related Story: Pochettino Confirms Tottenham's Interest in Batshuayi

While Batshuayi hasn’t said anything after the Argentine manager openly admitted his interest in the 22-year-old Belgian forward, Samuel Umtiti has responded following Pochettino’s comments.

To recap what Mauricio Pochettino said that caught everyone’s eye, including the Under-21 French international center-back, was how central defense is still a position in need of improvement. Or, just adding more depth with Federico Fazio unlikely to return once his season-long loan spell with Sevilla ends.

“Umtiti is one of the players that our recruitment department is following,” Pochettino said during his interview with French radio station RMC.

“He has interesting potential.”

Lyon’s French Cameroonian defender Samuel Umtiti (L) challenges Saint-Etienne’s Slovenian foward Robert Beric during the French L1 football match between Lyon and Saint-Etienne at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, southeastern France, on November 8, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images)
Lyon’s French Cameroonian defender Samuel Umtiti (L) challenges Saint-Etienne’s Slovenian foward Robert Beric during the French L1 football match between Lyon and Saint-Etienne at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, southeastern France, on November 8, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) /

It’s quite common for managers to constantly scout for talent all season long and Samuel Umtiti is one of Pochettino’s targets at the moment to potentially take over Fazio’s spot. While maybe partnering up with Kevin Wimmer.

And not to mention bringing in some much needed Champions League experience despite his young age. Umtiti turned 22 on November 14.

Although, there’s plenty of bad news in Umtiti’s response. And it mostly involves not joining Spurs despite being flattered by their interest.

“It is flattering that Pochettino is interested in me, he is a manager that I like and his team is performing well,” Samuel Umtiti told Telefoot (quotes via London Evening Standard).

More from Hotspur HQ

“I want to finish this season well, that is my priority.”

Now, the main reason why the 22-year-old won’t join Spurs isn’t actually because of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld. Which wouldn’t have been surprising since they’re Mauricio Pochettino’s obvious first choices for a central defense partnership.

Instead, Umtiti’s decision — for the time being at least, because he could change his mind in the future — is simply based on where his playing style fits perfectly. Or how he put it, his “qualities”.

“I watch all the leagues but I think that the Spanish league suits me the best, in terms of my qualities.”

“I like Barcelona as much as I like Real.”

If Samuel Umtiti feels that his playing style, and or qualities, are better suited in La Liga rather than the Premier League, then at the very least he’s open about his desire to reject a transfer from Spurs in favor of a Spanish club signing him.

Next: Tottenham are Still in Title Hunt by Slimmest of Margins

Then again, that’s only part of the whole transfer process; where the player wants to go and join a specific team or league.

It’s now up to any club, Barcelona, Real Madrid or anyone else in the Spanish league, to go out and sign Samuel Umtiti to bolster their defense.

Otherwise Mauricio Pochettino could convince the Under-21 French international why he would be better off in the Premier League as opposed to playing in La Liga. All the while, joining an ever-growing cast of young talented players to help Spurs reach the promise land of a Premier League title with other silverware along the way.