Bayern Munich chiefs are doing their best to reach an agreement with Dayot Upamecano for a new deal. The French defender has six months left on his contract. He will be free to talk with interested clubs in January regarding a free transfer, but Bayern officials are cautiously optimistic about his contract extension.
While working on a new deal for Upamecano, Bayern have explored the transfer market for potential center-back signings. They have been linked with Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi and Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck. There has been particularly strong interest in Schlotterbeck since he has excelled for Germany and Dortmund.
According to Sky Sports in Germany, it is a case of Schlotterbeck or Upamecano at Bayern. The two will unlikely be together in Die Roten’s next summer. The Bavarian club’s first preference is to extend the contract of Upamecano. If they fail to do so, Rekordmeister will make a move for Schlotterbeck.
The German defender has 18 months left on his contract. He is in no rush to explore contract talks with Dortmund. Apart from Bayern, there is likely to be interest from several big clubs across Europe in Schlotterbeck due to his quality and contract situation at Dortmund.
Schlotterbeck has been one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga over the last couple of seasons. Even though Dortmund have struggled a bit in the league over the last 18 months, Schlotterbeck has excelled under different managers.
It is not surprising to see Bayern showing a strong interest in Schlotterbeck. They have been trying to sign the best German talent over the last few windows. Bayern succeeded with their pursuits of Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof in the summer, but couldn’t convince Florian Wirtz to join them. Schlotterbeck is in the prime of his career, so it is a no-brainer deal for Die Roten if Upamecano ends up leaving.
Bayern may need a center-back even if Upamecano signs new deal
The record Bundesliga champions may have to dip into the transfer market for a center-back regardless of what happens with Upamecano’s contract extension. Die Roten have tried to part ways with Kim Min-jae in the last two transfer windows. The South Korean may certainly look for a transfer at the end of the season since he is no longer first choice center-back under Vincent Kompany.
Since Schlotterbeck may need regular game time, a move to Bayern may not be the best move for him if Upamecano stays. Kompany has made Jonathan Tah and Upamecano his first-choice center-back pairing. If Schlotterbeck is open to compete for gametime initially, a move can become a reality for Die Roten, provided Kim Min-jae seals an exit.