French outlet L’Equipe reports that a Liverpool target is expected to extend his contract with his current club.
The January window is always when big clubs watch each other closely. Liverpool are no different.
Every strong season depends on smart planning, especially in defence. Right now, the market for elite young defenders is very tight.
The best players do not stay available for long. When a top club moves early, it can shut the door on others very fast.
Liverpool have spent months tracking several defenders across Europe. One of them has stood out because of his pace, strength, and consistency.
His performances have made him a serious option for the long term. But when a player becomes this important to his team, other clubs move to protect their asset. That is exactly what is now happening.
From a Liverpool point of view, this is frustrating. When a target is close to entering the final stages of a deal, interest from England grows.
But so does pressure from his club. Big sides do not like losing players they have built around. That is why contract talks become just as important as transfer talks in January.
That situation now applies to Dayot Upamecano at Bayern Munich. According to L’Equipe, Bayern are close to finalising a new long-term deal with the centre-back.
The report says Vincent Kompany’s future was key to his decision. It states, “Vincent Kompany’s extension was a key factor in his decision to stay.”
The agreement is reportedly close.
The report adds that a signature and official announcement are expected in the coming days, with the new deal set to run until either 2030 or 2031.
Bayern are also making a strong financial commitment, offering a salary of up to €20 million gross per year along with a €20 million signing-on fee.
There is also a key detail that matters to Liverpool.
The contract includes a €65 million release clause that becomes active from the summer of 2027, giving Bayern security in the short term while still leaving the door open for a future move.
From a Liverpool angle, this changes everything. Upamecano had been seen as a serious target to strengthen the defence.
But Bayern have moved fast. The price, the wages, and the long deal make a January move impossible.
Liverpool now have to look elsewhere. But this shows the level of competition at the top. When Bayern move, they move hard.
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