Pique expects Umtiti to remain at Barcelona for 'many years' amid reported Man United interest

France international has been linked in the media with a move to the Premier League but his centre-back partner is convinced he will stay at the Camp Nou.

Samuel Umtiti, left, has become a mainstay at the heart of Barcelona's defence this season. Albert Gea / Reuters
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Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is expecting centre-back partner Samuel Umtiti to remain at the Catalans for "many more years" amid reported interest from Premier League club Manchester United.

Recent reports in the British media have claimed United are interested in France international Umtiti, who has a €62 million (Dh272.5m) buyout clause in his Barcelona contract.

This follows days after Manchester City full-back Benjamin Mendy jokingly said on Twitter he was trying to convince his international colleague to move to the Etihad Stadium.

However, Pique is not concerned about any potential interest in 24-year-old Umtiti and is confident the defender will be at the Camp Nou for "a very long time".

"I’m not worried about what clubs might or might not do,’ Pique, 30, said. "Umtiti is a great player and we expect him to stay at Barca for many more years and for him to enjoy his football with us.

"To an extent, the buyout clause is made high so that you can’t buy the player. As time goes by, that fee doesn’t seem so high at all, but the player still has to want to leave.

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"We’re very happy with Umtiti and I’m sure he’s going to stay here for a very long time."

Umtiti joined Barcelona from boyhood club Lyon in June 2016 for a reported €25m. He has become a mainstay in this season's team which remains unbeaten in all competitions and sit nine points clear atop the Primera Liga table.