Chelsea are reportedly mulling over a transfer move for Dayot Upamecano as uncertainty grows over the defender’s future at Bayern Munich.
Upamecano has started all but one of Bayern’s opening seven matches in the Bundesliga this term, in what is his fourth season with the German champions.
The 26-year-old has been a near ever-present in the side since joining from RB Leipzig back in 2021, helping the club win three league titles and three German Super Cups in that time.
But Upamecano’s current contract at the Allianz Arena is due to expire at the end of the 2025/26 campaign and discussions over a possible renewal have stalled.
According to German newspaper Bild, the ‘game of poker’ between Upamecano’s camp and Bayern has been ‘dragging on for months’ and there is currently little sign of any progress on the horizon.
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Upamecano is said to be ‘comfortable’ in Munich and Bayern are arguing that this is largely down to the ‘support’ they offered the centre-back during some of his more challenging times in the team.
However, it’s claimed Upamecano’s agent, Moussa Sissoko, ‘knows the market inside out’ and is aware of growing interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs, namely Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Chelsea decided to prioritise their attack when strengthening Enzo Maresca’s squad in the summer, with Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho all arriving through the doors at Stamford Bridge.
Jorrel Hato, Chelsea’s sole defensive addition, has made just two starts in the Premier League this term is primarily viewed as a full-back rather than a central defender by Maresca at present.
Upamecano is one of a number of centre-backs believed to be on Chelsea’s shortlist of targets, which also includes the likes of Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Valued at €60million (£52m), Upamecano – who recently won his 35th senior cap for the French national team – is likely to demand wages in the region of €16m-a-season (£13.9m-a-season).
The situation has forced Bayern to scour the market for potential replacements for Upamecano, with Borussia Dortmund and Germany star Nico Schlotterbeck attracting strong interest.
In an interview with Bild last month, Upamecano made it clear he remained committed to Bayern while he was still under contract with the club.
But the Frenchman refused to provide any assurances over his future beyond the end of the season.
‘I feel comfortable here and am happy to work with a very good coach and great players,’ Upamecano said.
‘My agent is talking with the people in charge at Bayern.
‘The talks are ongoing. There’s nothing more to say. We’ll see what happens.’
Bayern bosses have made no secret of their desire to secure Upamecano on a new deal, with sporting director Christoph Freund recently telling Sky: ‘He is certainly an important factor.
‘He has matured even more during his time at Bayern.
‘Therefore, we hope he will stay with Bayern long-term. I am positive about that.’
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