Chelsea will reportedly compete with Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur to sign 26-year-old Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano next year.
According to an update by Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Dayot Upamecano is the subject of interest of Chelsea. The Blues are scouring the market for a centre-back, and they have set their sights on the Bayern Munich defender. Meanwhile, the French international is also a target for Liverpool, Manchester United, and Real Madrid.
The rise and rise of Dayot Upamecano
Dayot Upamecano has been one of the Bundesliga’s best defenders in his spells with RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich. The 26-year-old was already a well-known player during his stint with RB Leipzig, compelling European bigwigs to chase him before Bayern Munich won the battle for his signature in July 2021.
The French international has made over 150 appearances thus far for Bayern Munich, chipping in with five goals and ten assists. However, Upamecano faces an uncertain future at the Allianz Arena after entering the final 12 months of his contract. The situation has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Real Madrid among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.
A man in demand
Chelsea will dip into the market for a centre-back next year amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term futures of Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile. So, Upamecano has emerged as a viable target, as he can build a long-term central defensive partnership alongside Levi Colwill. As for Manchester United, with Harry Maguire on the wrong side of 30, the Red Devils can do with a long-term replacement for the Englishman.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest in Dayot Upamecano makes sense. The Reds were keen on signing a centre-back in the summer transfer window and came close to securing Marc Guehi’s services on deadline day before Crystal Palace pulled the plug. Meanwhile, with Giovanni Leoni in the treatment room for over a year after recently injuring his knee and Ibrahima Konate entering the final 12 months of his contract, Liverpool can do with a new centre-back.
As for Real Madrid, the Spanish club will pursue a Bosman move for Upamecano next summer, with Los Blancos closely monitoring his contract situation at Bayern Munich. With David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger on the wrong side of 30, Real Madrid can do with a new centre-back. So, Upamecano is a viable target, with the 26-year-old Frenchman’s situation making him an appealing option.
While Bayern Munich would like to tie Upamecano to a new contract, the two parties have not found a common ground on the terms of the deal. So, it will be interesting to see if Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Real Madrid turn the French defender’s head.
