Liverpool, Chelsea left empty-handed as Upamecano future finally settled

Liverpool and Chelsea’s hopes of signing defender Dayot Upamecano are over after it was confirmed he has agreed to sign for Bayern Munich.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Upamecano had the choice of three clubs to join this summer.

Liverpool and Chelsea were options, with both sides looking to strengthen their back lines ahead of next term.

However, also in the running was Bayern Munich. The reigning European champions have held a long-standing interest in the French international.

And it is the Bundesliga giants who have won the race for his signature, as reported by Goal.

They will pay €42.5 million to RB Leipzig to secure his services, and Upamecano will sign a five-year contract at the Allianz Arena. 

It means he will remain in Germany, where he has impressed for the last four years.

Bayern chief confirms deal

News of the transfer was confirmed by Bayern’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

Asked to certify claims they had landed their man, he said: “I can do that, and we are very happy about it at FC Bayern.

“We had very good, intensive and professional discussions with Dayot and his advisor Volker Struth for many months. We knew that we had very strong competition.

“Upamecano is a young player, 22, whose qualities have already developed extraordinarily. I was always convinced that we had presented a good concept.”

Salihamidzic also revealed when the Bavarians sealed the deal for Upamecano. 

“We presented him with our vision of his career at Bayern. During the past week in Doha I had further talks with everyone involved. At the end of a long process, the players, family and management were convinced that FC Bayern was the right club.

“Dayot Upamecano will play for Bayern for the next five years.”

The development means Liverpool and Chelsea will now have to turn their attentions elsewhere.

Both have struggled defensively in 2020/21, although the Blues have improved since Thomas Tuchel took charge. They have conceded just once in his five games in the hotseat so far.

One man who is being linked with both is David Alaba, who is out of contract this summer.

As Upamecano joins, the 28-year-old looks set to leave Bayern and will have plenty of suitors around Europe. Now Upamecano is off the market, interest in Alaba could be about to shoot up.

And one former Chelsea player believes he would be a perfect fit for his ex-side in their new system under Tuchel. Read more about that here…