The winter transfer window for Bayern Munich is going to be dominated by the contract talks with Dayot Upamecano. The French defender has six months left on his current deal. With Real Madrid cooling their interest, Paris Saint-Germain remain the prime suitor for Upamecano if he decides against signing a new deal.
Bayern are cautiously optimistic about sealing a new contract for Upamecano. However, a deal is not done until the French defender signs the paper. It looks like Bayern are doing everything possible to convince Upamecano that his long-term future will be better served in Munich.
According to Bild, Bayern are ready to give a concession on the timing of the release clause in Upamecano’s new deal. The French defender’s representatives want a release clause worth €65 million inserted in his new contract.
The main point of contention between both parties is about the time when this clause comes into effect. Die Roten want this clause to be active later in the deal, while Upamecano’s agents want it to be active from 2027. The Bavarian club is now ready to agree to this demand for a swift conclusion of contract negotiations.
Bild has also reported that Bayern have reached an agreement in principle with Upamecano regarding the financial terms of the deal. It does look like a matter of time before the final round of negotiations is completed.
Upamecano’s contract extension will end Bayern’s pursuit of star defender
Earlier this week, Sky Sports reported that Bayern are prioritising a contract extension for Upamecano over their pursuit of Dortmund center-back Nico Schlotterbeck. With Upamecano close to signing a new deal, Schlotterbeck may join another European club in the summer.
Bayern may still sign a central defender in the summer if Kim Min-jae leaves Munich. The South Korean center-back’s game time has dipped this season after the arrival of Jonathan Tah. He has been linked with a move away from Bavaria over the last summer. He may have to weigh up a transfer at the end of the season if he wants to play regularly. In such a scenario, Die Roten may look to sign a young center-back to replace the South Korean defender.
The Bavarian club may have to look for a full-back in the summer since Raphael Guerreiro will leave on a free transfer. Bayern are also ready to listen to offers for Sacha Boey in January. With two full-backs leaving in the next six months, Die Roten will look to sign one player to add depth in this position. They have a concrete interest in Feyenoord’s Givairo Read to strengthen the full-back department.