Tough but not impossible: Bayern remain hopeful over Upamecano | OneFootball

The contract poker surrounding Dayot Upamecano is increasingly becoming a hot topic at Säbener Straße. Despite tough negotiations, FC Bayern remains optimistic about securing the defender on a long-term basis.

The 26-year-old Frenchman feels at home in Munich, is an undisputed starter under Vincent Kompany, and is considered one of the most consistent center-backs of the current season. Upamecano also enjoys great respect within the team—a factor that gives the decision-makers in Munich confidence.

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the German record champions remain the first port of call for the defender despite international competition. Several top European clubs, including teams from the Premier League and Spain’s La Liga, have already shown interest. Nevertheless, Upamecano wants to stay—and Bayern wants to extend his contract. According to Romano, a new round of talks is set to take place soon.

Negotiations Drag On – Signing Bonus as the Sticking Point

Photo: IMAGO

According to information from Sky, the player’s camp has already presented their financial expectations to Munich. In addition to a significant salary increase, Upamecano is also demanding a signing bonus for the contract extension—a demand reminiscent of the recently extended Alphonso Davies.

The Canadian ultimately received a signing bonus of around 17 million euros after months of negotiations—a figure that, according to SPORT1 information, Upamecano is now using as a benchmark. The negotiations are said to be “complicated, but not unsolvable,” as the TV channel has learned. Within the club, there is consensus that they want to keep the defender—but only on economically viable terms.

FC Bayern continues to stick to its austerity policy and does not want to open up new salary dimensions. However, a free transfer in the summer of 2026, when Upamecano’s contract expires, is a scenario the club’s management is determined to avoid. From a sporting perspective, such a loss would be hard to compensate for—after all, the Frenchman, together with new signing Jonathan Tah, forms the backbone of the defense, which has been one of the most stable in the Bundesliga this season.

Bayern Want to Keep Defensive Duo Tah and Upamecano Together

The Tah-Upamecano combination has restored security to FCB after years of defensive instability. Kompany relies on the two as a well-rehearsed duo that combines physical strength with technical class. Losing Upamecano would not only create a sporting gap but also entail high costs for a replacement.

Moreover, the transfer market for center-backs is currently tight, and players of Upamecano’s caliber are rarely available for less than 60 million euros. A free transfer would therefore be a double loss—both sporting and financial.

The example of Davies has shown that FC Bayern can be patient in tough negotiations. After months of talks, numerous rumors, and financial discussions, an agreement was finally reached. The club’s management is now hoping for a similar happy ending with Upamecano.

Until then, the motto is: stay calm, keep negotiating—and hope for the Davies effect.

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