Good news for Bayern: Top club cools interest in Upamecano transfer | OneFootball

The future of Dayot Upamecano at FC Bayern remains exciting. The center-back's contract expires in the summer of 2026, and starting in January, the 26-year-old could theoretically sign a pre-contract with a new club. However, a decisive turn is now emerging: according to the Spanish portal Defensa Central, Real Madrid has put its interest in signing the French defender on hold.

According to the report, the Madrid club considers a transfer of Upamecano to be "very unlikely and not feasible." Real assumes that the Bayern professional would prefer to stay in Munich anyway—and that his camp is mainly using the rumored transfer talks to secure a better salary position in contract negotiations with FCB.

Negotiations with Bayern ongoing – Salary as the sticking point

Photo: IMAGO

In Munich, talks between sporting director Max Eberl, Bayern officials, and Upamecano's management have been ongoing for weeks. According to BILD, both sides have reportedly come significantly closer regarding the base salary. The problem: the signing fee.

Upamecano is reportedly demanding a high one-time payment for signing the contract—similar to what Alphonso Davies recently received upon his extension. So far, Bayern has been reserved, but they definitely do not want to lose the defender on a free transfer.

While Real Madrid and apparently also Inter Milan are scaling back their efforts for Upamecano, a new club is entering the race: according to information from England, Aston Villa is specifically interested in a pre-contract. Coach Unai Emery is looking for an international defensive leader for the coming season and is said to have already made contact with the player's camp.

Nevertheless, the chances of staying in Munich are good. Upamecano feels comfortable at FC Bayern, enjoys the trust of coach Vincent Kompany, and is considered an undisputed regular starter.

A departure is therefore still possible—but by no means a necessity anymore. Currently, it seems that Bayern, for the first time in the Upamecano saga, holds the better cards.

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