Liverpool are out of the race for Dayot Upamecano’s signature, but both Real Madrid and PSG remain in the centre-back’s mind, reports Christian Falk.
The Merseyside giants are already at risk of losing one talented defender in Ibrahima Konate, with the Frenchman’s contract also expiring in the summer of 2026.
However, they’ll have to consider alternative avenues to his Bayern Munich counterpart, should the 26-year-old allow his contract to run down.
Dayot Upamecano’s future is at one of Bayern, PSG & Real Madrid
Dayot Upamecano dribbles with the ball while under pressure from Ukraine player.
(Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
Falk confirmed that, for the time being at least, Premier League clubs are not on the agenda for Upamecano, which is a bit of a blow to linked suitors Liverpool (Daily Mirror).
FC Bayern will instead face pressure from the reigning Champions League winners and another elite European outfit in Los Blancos.
“It’s not good news for Liverpool fans – sorry for that! We have heard that there are just three clubs in the Frenchman’s mind for the future,” the journalist exclusively informed CF Bayern Insider.
“First of all, Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions are a little bit confident that they will get the centre-half to sign a new contract. However, failing that, there are two clubs that interest Upamecano – otherwise, no Premier League clubs are on the list – and these are Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Both outfits are interested in the 27-year-old because he’s currently on track to be a free agent next year.
“Xabi Alonso’s side, in particular, are especially keen as they’re going to need new defenders. I heard there will be talks with Antonio Rüdiger in January to decide if he’ll get a new contract. David Alaba, likewise, will be a free agent in the summer.
“But that’s not to suggest PSG are anything but very interested in Upamecano. They want to build a team that almost mimics the French national side. Upamecano, a French national, would fit perfectly into this vision, and they can afford to meet his financial demands.”
The 27-year-old has been ever-present in the Bundesliga giants’ 2025/26 campaign, registering 15 appearances this term.
What does Upamecano think of Vincent Kompany?
Vincent Kompany walks in front of Dayot Upamecano.
(Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
Christian Falk went on to add that Bayern do hold the advantage of Dayot Upamecano being an admirer of head coach Vincent Kompany.
He told CF Bayern Insider: “That all said, I have heard that the Bundesliga winner is also really a fan of Vincent Kompany, and he loves to work with the Belgian head coach.
“So, this is the big chance for Bayern Munich in this poker game. It’s still open, but there are three clubs in a position to sign Upamecano.”
Luis Enrique (PSG) and Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), of course, still represent very appealing coaching options should the French international end up calling time at the Allianz Arena.
That said, there can be very few complaints with the Belgian head coach’s efforts thus far, especially not whilst FC Bayern continue to sit at the summit of the Champions League table.
Why do Europe’s elite want to take Upamecano from the Bundesliga?
In Upamecano’s own words, he considers himself to be one of the top defenders in world football at this very moment.
Statistically speaking, in Europe, the former RB Leipzig star has been Bayern’s best centre-back.
Ranking Players Champions League average rating
1st Micky van de Ven 7.77/10
2nd Josko Gvardiol 7.74/10
3rd Alessandro Bastoni 7.67/10
– – –
15th Dayot Upamecano 7.27/10
* Dayot Upamecano’s average Champions League rating compared to Europe’s elite (Fotmob)
However, he does find himself 15th in the table when judged against other centre-halves in the Champions League this season.
But this won’t take away from the reality that Dayot Upamecano is one of the most reliable passers in the game (92.2% pass accuracy per 90 in the Bundesliga this term).
In Europe, the Frenchman has been a creative presence too in the back, registering 0.54 chances created per 90.
Plus, he’s been one of the more indomitable figures in the air in the Champions League, winning 80% of his aerial duels per 90. That will no doubt be a highly prized trait for European outfits hoping to combat the Premier League’s natural physicality in the knockout stages.
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