Bayern Munich centre-back Dayot Upamecano will become a free agent next summer, and he has yet to sign a new deal at the club.
Liverpool are one of the clubs showing keen interest in signing the French defender, while La Liga giants Real Madrid are also reportedly interested in signing him.
The Reds failed in their attempt to sign Marc Guehi during the summer window, and they are exploring several options, including Upamecano.
Liverpool eye move for Upamecano?
Liverpool desperately need to sign a new centre-back, either in the January transfer window or next summer.
The Reds still consider Guehi as their top target, but other clubs, including Bayern, have now turned their attention towards signing the Crystal Palace defender.
Moreover, Ibrahima Konate has yet to sign a new deal at Anfield and could leave the club on a free transfer next summer.
Upamecano has emerged as one of Liverpool’s prime targets. The Bayern defender has started the season strongly, producing several top-class performances, including a virtuoso display in the Champions League against Chelsea.
However, like Konate, his contract situation has remained unresolved. Upamecano has recently suggested that his agent is speaking with the German club over a possible new contract extension, but as of now, nothing has been fixed yet.
What Upamecano want from Bayern Munich?
The French international is in a powerful negotiating position with Bayern, and to be fair, he deserves a better contract, as he has arguably been one of their most consistent performers over the past few years.
According to Abendzeitung (via BuLinews), Upamecano is demanding a higher salary, somewhere in the region between €15–20 million annually. He wants to receive a similar pay package following the contract extensions of Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies (€15m/year)and Joshua Kimmich (€20m/year).
Currently, he could earn up to €16m per year, but only if all his performance bonuses are triggered, and he wants a more competitive wage package.
The report claims that Upamecano’s current contract includes a €120m (£104m) release clause, and he is pushing for a similar clause in a new deal.
Bayern will try their best to reach a contract extension with the defender, as they will not want to lose a player of his calibre to leave for free.
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