Chelsea close to another £50m raid on RB Leipzig, as Lampard shapes squad

Dayot Upamecano

Chelsea are reportedly in advanced discussions with RB Leipzig over a move for Dayot Upamecano.

TodoFichajes report that Chelsea are set to make another raid on the German club after recently signing Timo Werner for £47.5m.

Frank Lampard’s men are leading the chase for the French centre-back, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal. With the Spanish source suggesting that a deal for the player is close.

Upamecano, 21, is one of Europe’s most highly-rated young defenders and has made 28 league appearances this term.

Last week The Athletic claimed Chelsea were hoping to persuade Leipzig into doing further business with the club and now the latest report says the ball is in the court of the player.

The central defender has one year left on his contract with Leipzig and has a £50million exit clause.

Last month Sky Sports repeatedly claimed the centre-back would extend his contract by another year to 2022.

“He has been given an improved salary and he will have another year to develop playing regularly for one of the best teams in Germany,” read the article.

 

 

 

However, that deal has never been forthcoming though and RB Leipzig sporting director Markus Krosche spoke out to deny the talk.

Two options for Upamecano 

Dayot Upamecano TEAMtalk

“Dayot isn’t about to sign anything, neither here nor anywhere else,” he said in an interview with Sport Bild in May.

And due to his contractual situation, Red Bull’s head of football Oliver Mintzlaff has insisted that a decision will be reached soon.

Mintzlaff told Bild earlier this month: “‘Upa’ is an extremely important player for us and one of the most sought-after talents in Europe.

“And we can assure that we have a clear understanding with him and his agent he won’t leave us on a free. We can’t afford that as a club.

“There are only two options: prolong or leave. I am sure we’ll soon find out in which direction it’s going.”