Bayern back Upamecano as Eberl gives update on contract talks | OneFootball

Dayot Upamecano's contract with FC Bayern expires after the season. Now, Sporting Director Max Eberl gives an update on the status of the talks.

Before the team's departure for the Champions League match in Cyprus, Sporting Director Max Eberl sent a clear signal to Dayot Upamecano. The contract of the French central defender expires at the end of the season, and although the negotiations have recently become difficult due to increased salary demands, FC Bayern is determined to keep its defensive leader long-term.

"I'm not surprised that many clubs are interested in Dayot. We are also interested in extending his contract. It takes time, as with the other contracts last year. We are trying to conduct the talks and convince him of the Bayern project. We definitely want to keep him," Eberl explained at the airport on Monday.

Since his transfer in 2021 from RB Leipzig to Munich, Upamecano has been a key figure in the defense. Coach Vincent Kompany regularly uses him as a defensive leader alongside newcomer Jonathan Tah. The 26-year-old has already played seven competitive matches this season, his market value is currently estimated at around 50 million euros.

But the competition is not sleeping. Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United and most recently Paris Saint-Germain are said to be closely watching Upamecano. A free transfer in the summer would be a severe setback for FC Bayern both in terms of sports and finances. The Munich team therefore wants to create clarity early on.

Upamecano reportedly demands salary increase for Bayern extension

The sticking point apparently remains the salary demands. Upamecano's camp points to the recent top contracts of Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies and sees the defender in a similar salary class. For the Bayern bosses, however, this is a balancing act: on the one hand, they want to keep the defensive leader, on the other hand, they do not want to break the salary structure.

Photo: IMAGO

Nevertheless, Eberl was confident of finding a solution. "We are trying to further convince him of the Bayern Munich project. We want to keep him," he emphasized. The experience from past contract talks - including with Musiala and Davies - should help to also reach an agreement with Upamecano.

The longer the negotiations drag on, the greater the risk that international top clubs will lure with attractive offers. Therefore, Bayern now wants to pick up the pace. For Upamecano himself, the decisive factor will be the sporting perspective offered to him and whether the record champion can underline its ambitions in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

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