Manchester United and Liverpool have reportedly been put on red alert as the race to sign RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano hots up.
According to SportBild, as relayed by Daily Mirror, Dayot Upamecano is all set to become the hottest prospect in the summer transfer window as clubs start to converge in pursuit of the RB Leipzig star.
Having established himself as one of the best defenders in Europe, Upamecano is highly expected to leave Leipzig in the summer. The player reportedly has a €42 million release clause that can be activated in the summer, with Bayern Munich emerging as the front-runners to secure his services.
The Bavarians are looking to sign Upamecano for a cheaper fee. As such, they have already sent scouts to inform them if any club opts to trigger his release clause, which is very likely as Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United have expressed a firm desire to land the RB Leipzig sensation.
Liverpool, in particular, are desperate to bolster their defensive options in light of their injury crisis in the ongoing campaign. They have been linked with a number of defenders this month, but it appears they are ready to wait till the summer in order to secure the services of Upamecano.
It is hardly surprising as the Frenchman is indeed one of the most promising defenders in Europe. He has impressed the onlookers with his ball-playing ability, discipline and tactical astuteness that could make him an ideal partner for Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool.
Manchester United, on the other hand, are looking to add some much-needed competition for the defensive trifecta of Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof. Upamecano, in that regard, could significantly increase the quality of a team that has shown a limitless potential. And at the age of just 22, the RB Leipzig star could be an ideal long-term investment for both the Premier League giants.
However, Bayern Munich are the undisputed favourites in the pursuit of Upamecano as they brace themselves for the departure of David Alaba. Incidentally, the Austrian international has also been linked with a move to Liverpool while the Bavarians are also expected to lose Jerome Boateng, effectively leaving Hansi Flick devoid of central defensive options.
Hence, both Liverpool and Manchester United can be described as mere outsiders in this chase at the moment. However, a lot could change over the next six months, especially if either Liverpool or Manchester United manage to come up with a lucrative offer for Upamecano this summer.