Ex-Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti in line for Lyon return as free agent remains without club over 18 months since last game

Since the transfer window closed, Lyon have been exploring several avenues to strengthen their defence. And a name well known to Lyon fans has emerged: Umtiti. A free agent after a mixed spell at Lille, the 2018 World Cup winner is reportedly seriously considering a return to the club where he started his career.

Lyon's defensive needs are glaring. The possible prolonged unavailability of Moussa Niakhate and Clinton Mata, due to winter absences owing to commitments for the Africa Cup of Nations, are forcing the Rhone-based club to plan ahead. Indeed, Le Quotidien du Sport claims that the club's management is actively exploring the possibility of bringing back Umtiti. It's a risky move, as the 31-year-old defender is coming off two difficult seasons with Lille, having been reduced to 13 appearances in 2023-24 amid an injury that ruled him out of the entirety of last season.

According to the same source, the former Barca player is physically ready and has no intention of hanging up his boots. After taking some time to reflect at the beginning of the month, he has reportedly decided to continue playing at the highest level. This scenario is obviously appealing to Lyon, where the player still holds a special place in the hearts of fans. Discussions have already taken place between Les Gones and Umtiti, proving that the idea is far from fanciful.

The club's plan is clear: offer a one-year contract with an option for a second season. The fixed salary would remain relatively low, but the agreement would include substantial bonuses linked to performance and the number of matches played. Matthieu Louis-Jean is looking for a reliable, low-cost player to get through the difficult period of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The deal is similar to that of Rachid Ghezzal, who returned to the club against all odds. It remains to be seen whether Umtiti will be tempted by this new challenge and whether Lyon will dare to make official a return that would seem like a gamble. At the same time, the name of Jason Denayer, a former player, has also been mentioned at the Groupama Stadium.

Additional reporting by Patrick Tchanhoun.