Dayot Upamecano Archives

£40m defender extremely unlikely to join Liverpool this month

Liverpool won’t be signing the France international Dayot Upamecano in the January transfer market, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds are believed to be in the market for a new centre-half after Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez succumbed to knee injuries that look set to keep them out for the remainder of the season.

Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have been repurposed as central defenders in the latest weeks, while Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips have also deputised at the back.

Liverpool are one of several sides to have been linked with a move for Dayot, but Romano says it will be “absolutely impossible” for Liverpool to agree a deal this month.

The Die Roten Bullen prodigy is available for £40 million this summer transfer window due to a buyout clause in his current contract.

Leipzig could potentially receive a higher sum were they to cash in on the defender this month, but the Bundesliga club have no intention of doing so.

Moreover, the Anfield outfit’s financial situation would make it very difficult for them to fund such a costly transfer in the middle of the campaign.

“Jurgen Klopp has been so honest when he spoke about not doing business in this market. Not always are they honest, but he was on this occasion,” the Italian journalist told Sky Sports.

“He is looking for opportunities, but spending £60m on Dayot Upamecano or this kind of centre-back is absolutely impossible in this window for Liverpool.”

Published by Footy Extras on January 16, 2021 | Permalink

£40m in-demand Frenchman drawing interest from Chelsea

Chelsea have accelerated plans to compete with Liverpool and Manchester United and Liverpool to land defender Dayot Upamecano, according to a recent report.

The RB Leipzig ace emerged as one of the continent’s most promising centre-backs last season. However, Dayot has continued his upward trajectory and, as such, the interest in the star’s services has risen.

United and Liverpool both allegedly have Upamecano on their radars in their quest for a new defender. Indeed, the pair are looking to refresh their defensive options in the coming months.

According to the Daily Mail, though, the Blues are now ready to join the fray to sign the Frenchman in the summer’s market.

Chelsea are looking for a long-term replacement to veteran Thiago Silva. While the 36-year-old star has added much-needed leadership to the back line, the Blues realise that longevity doesn’t remain another of his key attributes.

Behind the Brazilian, meantime, the west London club allegedly have concerns over Fikayo Tomori, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.

Tomori and Rudiger, in particular, have recently entertained thoughts about departing Stamford Bridge. Tomori came close to signing for West Ham in October while the German star also had offers on the table.

But in spite of the trio staying, Blues senior figures doubt their capability to serve long-term at Stamford Bridge.

As such, Dayot has become a leading candidate for a new acquisition. The centre-back is available for £40 million this summer when such a release clause in his fresh deal – signed last year – becomes active.

Published by Footy Extras on January 13, 2021 | Permalink

Chelsea throw hat into ring for Bundesliga No.5 centre-back

Chelsea have entered the hunt to sign RB Leipzig’s in-demand centre-back Dayot Upamecano.

Manager Frank Lampard invested heavily in the defence during the summer with shot-stopper Edouard Mendy, left-back Ben Chilwell and centre-half Thiago Silva arriving to strengthen a rearguard that shipped 53 goals in the Premier League last campaign.

All three have been hailed for the impact they have made during the early stages of their Chelsea careers, but Lampard remains keen to bolster his central defensive options.

Thiago will turn 37 in the autumn and although he has an option to renew his current contract for a further one year, a decision on his future won’t be taken until the end of the current campaign.

Frank’s remaining centre-halves, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, meanwhile, have all been in and out of the team over the course of the former England international’s tenure and none are certain to have long-term futures at the club.

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea will enter the race to sign Upamecano come the summer. The 22-year-old penned a new Leipzig deal last year which contains an exit clause of around £40m.

The likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Liverpool also maintain an interest in the player who helped Leipzig reach the semi-finals of last term’s Champions League.

Manchester United, however, are understood to have ended their interest having previously been giving serious consideration to tabling a bid back in September.

Published by Footy Extras on January 12, 2021 | Permalink

German club give Liverpool chance to sign 22-year-old French star

RB Leipzig confirm they will continue to sell their key players amid Liverpool links to star centre-half Dayot Upamecano.

The Anfield outfit are in the market for a centre-back and while it’s unlikely they will enter the January transfer market, Michael Edwards is continuing to plan for the summer.

The 22-year-old French star has established himself as one of the continent’s outstanding young defenders during his time at RB Leipzig, having arrived from sister club RB Salzburg three years ago.

He is understood to have been tracked by a host of top European clubs, including Jurgen Klopp’s side and rivals Manchester United.

And Die Roten Bullen’s CEO Oliver Mintzlaff conceded: “We have a squad that is very broad in terms of quality.

“So we will sell top performers again if it makes financial sense and we can cope with it from a sporting point of view.”

Liverpool have good relations with Red Bull clubs, having purchased the Guinean star Naby Keita from RB Leipzig back in 2018 and the Japan international Takumi Minamino from RB Salzburg last year.

Meanwhile, Klopp is allegedly willing to allow youngster Sepp van den Berg to leave on loan in January.

The 19-year-old Sepp has spent most of the term with the Under-23s but has also been named on the bench for the first team as centre-back cover.

And despite Jordan Henderson and Fabinho being used against the Saints, the Reds will allow the Dutch ace to leave on loan before the end of the January market, according to Goal.

Published by Footy Extras on January 12, 2021 | Permalink

Man Utd opt against pursuing eye-catching deal for Bundesliga defender

Manchester United have ended their interest in Red Bull Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano.

The Frenchman has long been linked to a switch to Old Trafford, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer allegedly viewing the defender as perfect for the Premier League.

The star has a release clause of around £42 million in his deal but it cannot be activated until the end of the current season.

With such widespread knowledge of the buy-out clause, clubs are already queuing up to convince Dayot to sign for them and United had been at the head of the line.

However, the Athletic state that United’s interest in the France international has ended and that it’s Bayern Munich that now lead the way for Dayot’s signature.

Whether United have dropped their interest since it became apparent that DAyot would opt for a move elsewhere remains to be seen.

Upamecano featured in a 5-0 defeat versus United in the UEFA Champions League earlier this season and the Frenchman was far from his best as Marcus Rashford netted a hat-trick.

He was suspended for the reverse fixture, which saw Die Roten Bullen progress to the last-16 with a 3-2 win over the Red Devils.

Solskjaer remains keen to bolster his defence but the Athletic claim his preference has moved from the star.

David Alaba and Jerome Boateng are coming towards the end of their professional careers at the Allianz Arena, meaning Upamecano would likely become a regular first-team player for the Champions League holders.

It’s thought the defender is content with life in Germany and would prefer to sign for the Bundesliga champions than move to England.

Published by Footy Extras on December 22, 2020 | Permalink

Man Utd opt against pursuing eye-catching deal for Bundesliga talent