Kompany the X-factor? Will Bayern now tie down Upamecano to a new deal | OneFootball

Dayot Upamecano is now an indispensable part of Bayern's defense – yet his future in Munich is anything but secure. The Frenchman's contract expires in the summer of 2026, and although the club is seeking an extension, negotiations with the player's management are on shaky ground. According to Sky, several points are hindering the agreement.

FC Bayern wants to secure the center-back long-term – until 2030 or even 2031. Sports director Max Eberl recently emphasized in an interview with Sky that they are "in very good talks" with the player's side. Nevertheless, there are still significant differences in key issues.

The Salary and Bonus – Bayern Wants to Keep Costs Under Control

Currently, Upamecano earns around 15 million euros gross per year, including bonus payments, according to Sky. The defender and his agent are demanding a significant salary increase – the new base salary should be aligned with the top earners of the team.

Additionally, there's the so-called signing fee, a signing bonus for the extension. According to the report, the player's side is demanding an amount in the double-digit million range. For comparison: Alphonso Davies reportedly received around 20 million euros as a signing bonus for his contract extension earlier this year.

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For the record champions, however, a similar sum would be hard to justify, as Bayern bosses around Jan-Christian Dreesen and Eberl are trying to stabilize the overall salary structure. The signing bonus is thus one of the biggest obstacles on the way to an agreement.

Besides the financial aspects, a possible release clause also plays a role. According to Sky, the player's side insists on having such an option included in the contract – similar to his transfer from RB Leipzig to Munich in 2021, when he was allowed to move for 42.5 million euros.

FC Bayern, however, has so far strictly rejected such a clause. At Säbener Straße, they want to regain full control over transfer decisions in the future. "We are trying to accommodate the respective ideas," Eberl explained diplomatically, but internally a release clause is considered a red line.

Kompany as the X-Factor – Coach Connection Could Be Decisive

A possible key to an agreement could be Vincent Kompany. The Belgian coach recently extended his contract until 2029 and is considered one of Upamecano's biggest supporters. Under Kompany, the Frenchman has developed into one of the most in-form center-backs in Europe – starting in the lineup ten times in twelve official matches.

The close relationship between player and coach could ultimately be decisive. Sky reports that Kompany's extension is seen internally as a positive signal for the negotiations. Upamecano feels comfortable under the Belgian, appreciating his trust and leadership style.

There is no question that FC Bayern is interested in finding a solution. Extending Upamecano's contract is a top priority for the sports management. But the negotiations are dragging on – and the competition is not asleep.

Several top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and FC Liverpool, are closely monitoring the situation.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.