RB Leipzig sporting director Robert Krosche told Bild the future of reported Arsenal target Dayot Upamecano may depend on the club securing Champions League football.
The French defender has been linked with a move away from the club.
According to Talksport, Arsenal want to sign Upamecano and a recent report from Bild claims his price-tag has dropped from £55 million to £35 million.
Now, Krosche has added to speculation suggesting Upamecano’s future hangs in the balance.
“I deal with strategic planning and how our squad could look in the future. But in the short team, it’s still difficult to implement plans. For us, it’s all about whether we get into the Champions League. In the cases of Dayot Upamecano and Kevin Kampl, it is important to know how we end the season in sporting terms We would like to keep them with us,” Krosche explained.
Upamecano’s contract at RB Leipzig expires in 2021.
The Bundesliga club evidently want to keep the player. However, a failure to extend his contract will surely prompt the club to sell rather than risk losing him for free.
RB Leipzig’s best chance will be securing Champions League football. Julian Nagelsmann’s side are third, two points ahead of fifth place Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal fans could be forgiven for wanting Leipzig to fall short of the top four.
The Gunners must look to strengthen their defence after conceding 36 Premier League goals in 28 games prior the Covid-19 suspension.
David Luiz, Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi aren’t long-term options.
Upamecano, 21, has his whole career ahead of him and the France U21 international has the tools to become one of the best defenders in the world.
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