Dayot Upamecano is highly sought after and will be spoilt for choices come the end of the season, according to German publication Bild. However, Bayern Munich is believed to be the frontrunner as far as his signature is concerned.
The RB Leipzig defender has regularly caught the interest of Premier League clubs, with Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool all said to be keeping a close eye on the athletic centre back.
According to Bild, Upamecano’s agents Sascha Breese and Volker Struth were seen entering the underground car park near Bayern Munich’s offices.
Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic all but confirmed this news and the fact negotiations were indeed underway to bring the player to Germany.
“Of course we are thinking about him,” Salihamidzic told Sky Germany. “We had a good meeting with his agents yesterday. Let’s see what happens.”
Upamecano has a contract at RB Leipzig that runs till 2023 and it is believed that it will take a sum in the region of $52 million to secure his arrival. A move has been touted to take place as early as this summer.
“The release clause was agreed because the player decided to want to take the next step at some point. It is very likely in the summer,” Salihamidzic said. “Nothing final has been decided yet. The tendency for him to leave the club in the summer is high.”
Given the current financial situation in the light of Covid-19, it is believed that Bayern will look to negotiate better terms and that may be precisely the reason the agents were called in for discussion.
Eventually, however, it could all be a money game. If other clubs are interested in getting him and paying his release clause, Upamecano may assess his options. The deal with Bayern, of course, may seem the more logical option for the Frenchman given that he has acclimatised to life in Germany.