Bayern Munich: Three possible replacements for David Alaba
Dayot Upamecano
The most obvious option to improve central defense next summer is RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano. The French defender got plaudits across Europe for his good performances in the Champions League last season. His good performances at the club level have been rewarded with caps for France.
Die Roten has been linked with Upamecano in the past. The Frenchman signed a contract extension at RB Leipzig in the summer. However, there is reportedly a release clause worth €42 million in his new deal. The clause will be active next summer.
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Upamecano has every quality of a modern center-back. He can win duels consistently and play out from the back. The French defender can also dribble past opposition with ease, a handy quality to have while playing against teams that sit deep. Upamecano is going to get better as he is nowhere near his peak.
The French international does have lapses in concentration that leads to some costly errors. However, those rough edges of his game can be polished out. Upamecano has all the qualities to improve any top team in Europe. Die Roten can get him for a decent fee, but there will be a lot of competition for the French defender.