Sergio Ramos or Upamecano? Kahn discusses Bayern’s Alaba replacement

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 12:54 BST
• 2 min read

Bayern Munich legend and president-elect Oliver Kahn has commented on who could replace David Alaba at the club.

Alaba will leave the Bavarians at the end of the season after 13 hugely successful years, having decided not to renew his contract.

Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, whose contract also expires this summer, has been linked with a move to Bayern.

But former Bayern goalkeeper Kahn, who is in line to replace Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as president in 2021, has shot the idea down.

“We’re losing David Alaba,” Kahn admitted.

“We made him an offer a while ago. He didn’t accept this offer.

“I also understand that a player like him, who’s been at Bayern Munich for a long time, is looking for a new challenge now.

“We have to think about who could be an adequate replacement for David.

“As a player, I’d love to have played with Ramos, but there’s nothing in [him coming to Bayern].”

Kahn did, however, praise RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano.

The French defender is a confirmed target for Bayern, with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic admitting this week that they held a meeting with Upamecano’s agents to begin negotiations.

“He’s in demand across Europe,” Kahn said.

“This season, he’s shown the quality that he has. Of course, we’re also in talks.

“He’s a player that lots of Europe’s biggest clubs want and Bayern are currently the most successful club in the world in sporting terms.

“We’re especially attractive for these types of players at the moment.”

The defender, who has also been linked with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, has a release clause in his contract of around £40 million this summer.