How likely Dayot Upamecano is to sign a new Bayern Munich contract as Liverpool interest grows

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Liverpool’s centre-back options have come into sharp focus once again following a serious injury to Giovanni Leoni this week.

Leoni picked up a long-term knee injury against Southampton on Tuesday, leaving Arne Slot with only three senior options this season.

Liverpool were close to signing Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, which would have put them in a good position now, but Crystal Palace refused to allow the deal to go through.

As a result, Slot looks short, and there is an expectation that Liverpool will sign at least one new centre-back in January or next summer.

Guehi could still get his Anfield move, but the Palace captain is not the only high profile defender out of contract next summer. As well as Ibrahima Konate, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano will be available on a free transfer in 2026.

As Rousing The Kop exclusively revealed last week, Liverpool are monitoring Upamecano’s situation at Bayern. And the German press have now provided an update on the process.

Dayot Upamecano could leave on a free transfer

If Liverpool lose Konate, and Guehi ultimately goes elsewhere, they could hardly hope to get a better replacement than Upamecano.

Still yet to turn 27, the France international is a top quality defender who could slot straight into the Liverpool squad.

READ MORE: Liverpool readying plans to sign ‘the best defender in the world’ after Giovanni Leoni injury

Of course, Bayern could still tie Upamecano down to a new deal, just as Liverpool hope to do with Konate. But according to BILD journalist Tobias Altschaffl, there is a possibility the 26-year-old departs. And it could be to Anfield.

“What we can reveal is that Liverpool FC is also considering Dayot Upamecano.” says Altschaffl. “The contract of Ibrahima Konate, whom we know from his Bundesliga debut with Leipzig, is expiring there. Of course, they’re considering Upamecano; he’s on their radar.”

The reporter goes on to say that if Bayern continue to wait without renewing the former RB Leipzig defender, it will become ‘increasingly difficult’ to keep him.

“The more time passes, the worse it is for Bayern,” Altschaffl admits. “Because the more time passes, the more clubs enter the race, the more they try, and the more expensive it becomes.

“If he doesn’t get injured and maintains his form, it will become increasingly difficult for Bayern. They want to extend his contract, and they’ll put a lot of effort into it. But the competition—including Real Madrid and Liverpool—is fierce.”

Liverpool can sign Guehi and Upamecano

Liverpool’s centre-back options look likely to evolve over the coming months, and in case they do lose Konate – and Joe Gomez also follows him out the door – Guehi and Upamecano would look like two brilliant replacements.

Virgil van Dijk will not carry on forever as well, and signing two international calibre players for absolutely nothing would be a good way of Liverpool planning for the future.

In terms of wages, signing players on frees is perhaps not the best option for the Reds. But neither Guehi nor Upamecano are in the superstar bracket, and Liverpool will probably feel they represent value in whatever they are asking for as Bosman transfers.

Bayern, like Liverpool, left it late before renewing contracts of some key players last season, and it should not be ruled out that things will go the same way with Upamecano.

But the longer the ink remains dry on a new deal, Liverpool should be weaselling their way in here to make sure the player knows they are a genuine option for him.