After completing the sextuple last night, Bayern Munich has shown their ambition to enjoy similar success by completing the deal for a major summer transfer target. The German Champions have sealed the transfer of Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig.
Bayern Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic told Bild late on Friday that personal terms have been agreed with the French defender. The World Champions have convinced Upamecano to choose them over top clubs from England such as Liverpool and Chelsea.
Salihamidzic also confirmed that there would be no negotiations with RB Leipzig since Upamecano has a release clause in his contract. The French defender will cost Die Roten €42.5 million. Rekordmeister can activate this clause at the end of the current campaign. Before Salihamidzic confirmed the deal, multiple reports in France and Germany had reported a big breakthrough in talks between player and Bayern.
Upamecano has been heavily linked with various European clubs throughout the last 12 months. Bayern stepped up their efforts to sign him as soon as they withdrew the contract offer for David Alaba. Speaking to SportBild, Salihamidzic said that club’s vision convinced Upamecano to seal a move to Munich.
"“We are very happy about this at Bayern. We knew we had very strong competition. We presented him with our vision of his career at Bayern.”“Dayot Upamecano will play for FC Bayern for the next five years.”"
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Die Roten had started negotiating with Upamecano during the winter transfer window. The club hierarchy publicly confirmed interest in the young defender. Salihamidzic reportedly held talks with Upamecano’s representatives at Sabner Strasse at the end of January. They were expected to get tough competition from Premier League clubs, but Bayern did enough to convince him that Bavaria will help him in achieving personal and collective milestones.
Upamecano has been one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga over the last two campaigns. He has been part of the Leipzig side that has enjoyed a good defensive record over the past two seasons. The Frenchman also excelled in the Champions League last season when Leipzig managed to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
With the arrival of Upamecano, the overhaul of central defense that started in 2019 will be completed. Upamecano will join a defensive contingent involving French defenders. He will be fighting for a place in the heart of the defense with Lucas Hernandez, Nianzou Kouassi, and Niklas Sule for years to come. If Jerome Boateng signs a short-term deal, then he will also compete with Upamecano for a place in the starting XI.
Die Roten has made a significant investment in the squad with the signing of Upamecano. There will be no problems in the wage structure at the club since Alaba and Javi Martinez are leaving in the summer. However, it will be intriguing to see whether they will sell few players to further bolster the squad. Nevertheless, it is a significant signing for Die Roten. A transfer that will strengthen the squad and help them to enjoy consistent success in all competitions.