Bayern Munich are set to sign Dayot Upamecano in a reported blow to Liverpool. The Frenchman has a release clause with RB Leipzig.
Bayern Munich Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidžić confirmed to Bild that Dayot Upamecano wants to join the club.
The Frenchman, currently at RB Leipzig, has a release clause of around £7m, per the Guardian. And per that same article, Liverpool wanted the player.
Bild even went as far as labelling Upamecano a ‘dream signing’ for Jurgen Klopp this summer. That’s something we agree with – he’s the best-value defender around.
After all, you’re getting a 22-year-old with years of Bundesliga and Champions League experience. Upamecano was the only non-Liverpool defender in the ESM Team of the Year, in fact – he’s an elite player.
Getting that for £37m is a bargain.
But it appears Bayern have won this race. They’ll get Upamecano and Liverpool, along with Chelsea, must turn their attentions elsewhere.
What RTK has to say
We’re pretty gutted about this. Upamecano was high on our own list since at least the start of the season.
Liverpool have both Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip approaching their 30s. There’s a need for a new young centre-back, someone who can build a long-term partnership with Joe Gomez.
And that was the beauty of signing Upamecano. He’s ready to contribute at the top level right now and at 22, there’s so much room for growth.
Getting that for £37m, too, leaves the door open for other major signings in the same window. So we consider this one to be a genuine blow.
Bayern will be absolutely thrilled, though. Upamecano is, potentially, the heart of their defence for 10 years – if they develop him correctly.
And you’d back them to do just that, given their record in recent years.
So Liverpool will move on, begrudgingly. There really isn’t an obvious 2nd choice here – whoever it is will carry far more risk.
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