Barcelona are growing increasingly concerned that one of either Manchester United or City will pay Samuel Umtiti's release clause after Virgil van Dijk's big money move to Liverpool caused chaos in the transfer market.

On Wednesday night it was announced that Van Dijk will be heading to Anfield for £75million on January 1, the highest fee ever-paid for a defender.

According to Don Balon, the La Liga giants are now worried this will spark United or City into paying Umtiti’s £50million clause in order to boost their own defensive options.

Barcelona fear one of either Manchester United or City will pay Samuel Umtiti's release clause

Both Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho will be looking for reinforcements come January

The French defender has been a Nou Camp regular since his £21m move from Lyon in the summer of 2016, making 62 appearances.

Ernesto Valverde is reportedly keen to offer Umtiti a new contract to stave off Premier League interest, but it remains to be seen if he will sign.

United had identified Umtiti as one of their top transfer targets with Jose Mourinho plotting to take advantage of his modest release clause.

The United boss wants to bring him to Old Trafford after his summer signing Victor Lindelof's failure to kick on following his move from Benfica.

Ernesto Valverde is reportedly keen to offer Umtiti a new contract to stave off interest

Eric Bailly's injury and Victor Lindelof's failure to kick on give United a lack of strong options

Eric Bailly is also out with an ankle problem for three months and Umtiti would act as an upgrade on any other United central defender.

City may also be in the market for another centre back after captain Vincent Kompany suffered yet another injury setback on Wednesday night.

Kompany limped off less than 10 minutes into City's Premier League clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park on Wednesday night with a calf problem.