Barcelona have confirmed a season-long deal for defender Samuel Umtiti.

Umtiti has joined Italian Serie A side Leece on loan, without an option to buy the player.

Lecce won Italy’s Serie B last season and are now back playing at the highest level of Italian football.

Umtiti has a contract with Barcelona until June 2023, and Lecce might be able to sign him permanently on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Frenchman is one of those players deemed expendable by Xavi, and it has been difficult getting him out of the club.

Umtiti wasn’t part of Xavi’s pre-season squad, which showed that his time at Barcelona was over.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner had fallen down the pecking order at Barcelona, and needed to leave in order to play regular first-team football.

“Barcelona and Lecce of Serie A have reached an agreement on the loan of defender Samuel Umtiti until June 30, 2023,” a club statement said.

“Lecce won Italy’s Serie B last season and are now back playing at the highest level of Italian football.”

Both clubs will share the payment of Umtiti’s wages.

Another player Barcelona is keen on booting out is Martin Braithwaite who has also seen his stock drop at the Camp Nou in recent years.