Dayot Upamecano has been told that he must extend his contract or face being sold by RB Leipzig this summer with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all watching the situation with interest, according to BILD.
Before the global health crisis emerged and tipped the entire sporting world on it’s head, it felt like only a matter of time before an uber-talented centre-back was being unveiled by one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
As BILD point out, Arsenal are still interested in a player they bid around £50 million for last year.
Liverpool have also been linked via PassioneInter in March, with Upamecano potentially viewed at Anfield as an immediate upgrade on the unconvincing Dejan Lovren.
Jose Mourinho’s Spurs are also in need of defensive reinforcements with the former Salzburg starlet on their radar, BleacherReport claimed in April.
But everything is up in the air right now, with even the giants of English football expected to keep their chequebook closed. That means Leipzig are in a rather difficult position.
The Bundesliga challengers are under pressure to sell Upamecano before he becomes a free-agent next summer – but the 21-year-old’s suitors appear to be backing away.
“Upa is an extremely important player for us and one of the most sought after talents in this position in Europe,” Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff explains.
“One thing we can assure: that we have a very clear understanding with him and his advisor, that we do not let him go for free.
“We cannot afford that as an association. So there are two options: extend (the contract) or change (clubs). I am absolutely certain that we will know relatively quickly which direction we are going.”
Speed certainly is the order of the day. Upamecano’s £50 million release clause expires at the end of June.
After that, Leipzig may be forced to accept a reduced fee with fears growing that he could leave the Red Bull Arena for absolutely nothing.
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