According to The Express, Dayot Upamecano has made the final decision regarding his future. Currently, he plays for Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig. However, he wants to leave the club next summer. The Frenchman has attracted interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
He broke through into RB Salzburg’s first team when he was 17 years old. After his impressive performances, he joined Rell Bull-owned RB Leipzig. Since then he has been a mainstay in their backline. Over the years he has improved his performances as well.
Now Die Rotten has established themselves as a Champions League team. They are now the third biggest team in Germany after Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. They reached the Champions League semi-final as well.
However, Upamecano poured cold water to such rumours as he signed a new contract with the Germans. In his earlier contract, he had a release clause of £36 million but in his new contract, he has a release clause of £54million.
Other suitors in the race for Upamecano
The release clause in his new contract will be activated next summer only. Thus both Manchester United and Liverpool will try to sign him next summer.
Jan Aage Fjortoft, a former Norway international has revealed that both Premier League giants are “following him (Upamecano) closely”. However, Manchester United’s neighbors Manchester City have also shown interest in him.
Pep Guardiola’s side could potentially join the race for him next summer. Though they did sign Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake this summer. But the likes of John Stones and Eric Garic have been linked with a move away from the club.
While Bayern Munich will also try to continue the tradition of bullying fellow Bundesliga clubs. They could sign him as a potential replacement for contract rebel David Alaba.
Why is the interest in Dayot Upamecano high?
In summer as well, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to add another centre-back. However, Ed Woodward failed to bring another centre-back to Old Trafford. Solskjaer was frustrated as the Red Devils could sign another centre-back.
During his reign, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have been the first choice defenders. However, the former Cardiff City manager wanted to bring in Upamecano as a partner to Maguire. The RB Leipzig defender was seen as an ideal partner to the Englishman.
While Liverpool’s inability to replace Dejan Loveren is affecting them now. They allowed the Croatian to leave for $12M to Zenit. Jurgen Klopp’s side decided not to bring in a replacement. Now both Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez have been ruled out for the season due to injuries.
Liverpool midfielder Fabiano has deputized as a centre back but he has also faced injury issues. Joel Matip is the only fit centre back at the club, but he has been troubled by injuries. Despite the crises, the Reds have no plans to sign another centre back in the January transfer window.
