Bayern CEO confirms Chelsea and Liverpool also pursuing Upamecano

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that the two Premier League sides rivalling the Bundesliga side for Dayot Upamecano’s signature are Chelsea and Liverpool. 

The RB Leipzig defender is believed to have a minimum fee release clause of around £40 million in the summer transfer window. 

As such, a number of clubs from around Europe have been keeping an eye on Upamecano’s progress in the Bundesliga this season.

However, Bayern seem to have stolen a lead on their rivals. The Bavarian club confirmed on Saturday that it had begun contract negotiations with the French defender’s agents. 

“Of course we are thinking about him,” said , Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic when asked about the recent reports linking the French defender with a move to Munich by Sky Germany. “We had a good meeting with his agents yesterday. Let’s see what happens.”

Now, the German club have gone one step further and confirmed who they are battling it out for Upamecano’s signature. 

“There are two other clubs interested in Dayot. We will lose David Alaba. It depends on the player now,” Rummenigge told Sky Germany. 

‘When clubs like Chelsea or Liverpool are interested in him, it shows what qualities the players have.”

Naturally, Bayern will be determined to tie down Upamecano as their preferred successor to David Alaba, who is now confirmed to be leaving the club at the end of the season. 

It remains to be seen whether the Austrian defender will move to Real Madrid or if Barcelona can tempt him with a better contract offer.

However, when asked about the player’s decision to leave the Bayern boss was quick to downplay any animosity and was certain Alaba would leave the Bundesliga side on a high. 

“David Alaba is 99.99% leaving the club. We will part ways in a friendly way and hopefully David can say goodbye to FC Bayern with a lot of titles”